
T-3^ 



Class 

Book 



A 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 




MAY IS 1910 



SPECIAL FEATURES 




— ! 1(-5« 7 1 

The Story of the First Year of 
Boston- 1915 

The Enlarged Directorate 

Housing Conditions in Boston's North 
and West Ends 

Fully Illustrated 

The Boys' Games of 1909 
The Democracy of Boston- 19 15 



A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IM 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY THE DIRECTORATE Of BOSTON 1915 
6 BEACOM STREET BOSTON -MASSACHUSETTS 



VOL. 1. 

TEM CENTS A COPY 



MAY 1910 

ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, 



CREDO 

I BELIEVE 

In New England — 

In the preeminence of her location as the gateway to Europe — 

In the beauty and healthfulness of her hills and lakes — 

In the undeveloped, unlimited power of her rivers, and the 

ocean commerce of her seaports — 
In t' .e variety and marvelous efficiency of her industries — 
In the skill and inventive genius of her workmen, the public 

spirit of her business men, and the resulting prosperity of her 

people. 

I BELIEVE 

In New England's mission — 

In the glory of her past and the greatness of her future — and I 
believe that the same spirit of the Boston Tea Party, of Lex- 
ington, and the Civil War — the spirit that lavishly gave its 
blood, brawn, brains, and money to the upbuilding of the 
country — still lives in New England's sons and daughters, 
and waits only the word to call all New England to the still 
greater things which are before us. 

I BELIEVE 

In the tremendous, transforming power of optimism ; I believe 

that it is lack of faith which checks the development of 

individuals, associations, and sections — 
That skepticism is the only thing which stands between New 

England and her great destiny — 
And that when pessimism is transformed to optimism. New 

England will maintain her rightful place in the vanguard of 

industrial progress. 

THEREFORE I AM RESOLVED 

That I will avoid and help others to escape from the deadening, 
demoralizing rut of criticism, skepticism, and inertia — 

That I will be a booster, not a knocker — 

And that I will neglect no opportunity to show my faith in the 
future of New England and to labor unceasingly for its 
fulfilment. 

Copyright, 1909, by Pilgrim Publicity Association 



In answering advertisements pleas^ mention XEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



6 Beacon Street 



Vol. I MAY, 1910 No. 1 

Published Monthly by the Directors of Boston-1915 at 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 

A Chronicle of Progress in Developing a Greater and Finer City 
Under the Auspices of the Boston-1915 Movement 

vSubscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any 
organization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy 
per annum. Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Second-class rates pending at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES p. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

{Copyright, 1910, by Boston— 1915, Inc.) 



CONTENTS 



FOREWORD 1 

BOSTON-1915, ITS PURPOSES 1 

THE GOVERNMENT OF CITIES 3 

THE GENESIS OF BOSTON-1915 5 

THE DEMOCRACY OF BOSTON-1915 C. Bertrand Thompson 8 

BOSTON'S HOUSING PROBLEM 10 

FROM THE ESTABROOK REPORT 18 

THE BOYS' GAMES OF 1909 Frank S. Mason 21 

SPRINGFIELD'S INDEPENDENCE DAY William Orr 26 

A SANER FOURTH FOR BOSTON 30 

A SPEAKER'S PUBLICITY BUREAU 34 

CIVIC NERVE CENTERS 35 

THE EXPOSITION IN 1915 36 

SCHOOL HELP. IN CHOOSING A CAREER Meyer Bloomfield 37 

THE CITY GUARD Frank O. Carpenter 39 

SAVINGS BANK INSURANCE Harry W. Kimball 41 

THE NEW VOTERS' FESTIVAL ^^ 

THE BOSTON CITY CLUB ^^3 

WHAT OTHERS SAY '*'* 

NOTES FROM THE WIDE FIELD 45 



NEW BOSTON 



.1 





GAS AND 
COMFORT 

NO MORE SMOKE 
DIRT and WORRY 



The Cleaner City 
And the All-Gas Kitchen 

A CLEAN, COOL, COMFORTABLE 
HOUSEHOLD, spotless from cellar to 
garret— INSTANT, FLEXIBLE SERVICE, 
AT ALL TIMES, day or night,— may be 
secured now, by means of the ALL-GAS 
KITCHEN. 

The GAS RANGE— COMPACT, CON- 
VENIENT, ECONOMICAL;— and the GAS WATER HEATER— 
direct-connected to the boiler, providing hot water at any time 
—REMOVE THE NECESSITY of the COAL STOVE, with its 
attendant DIRT, LABOR and WORRY. 

Send for one of our Corps of Representatives for details of 
installation, or for one of our Demonstrators for advice regard- 
ing the use of your gas appliances. 



BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 

24 WEST STREET, BOSTON 

Telephone Oxford 1690, Commercial Department 



WHERE THE 




Underwood 

Standard 

Typewriter 



has replaced other machines, gains have been made in celerity 
and accuracy of work — due to the UNDERWOOD features of 
proven value. 

Everybody ought to know what the UNDERWOOD will 
do when put to the severest test. 

An opportunity to examine and prove 

** The Machine You Will Eventually Buy " 

will be afforded at any branch office 

UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY 

"INCORPORATED" 

214 Devonshire Street, Boston 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



©Ci.B21711>4 



New Boston 



The Official Organ of Boston-1915 



Vol. I MAY, 1910 No. 1 



FOREWORD 

ANY periodical which today seeks to enter the crowded realm of monthly maga- 
zines owes the reading public an explanation, if not an apology. NEW 
BOSTON comes into existence in order to meet a distinct and imperative need. 
A growing number of citizens in Boston and its Metropolitan District are readj' for co- 
operation in a broad campaign for civic advance. The Boston-1915 movement, in its 
first year of effort, has been welcomed as offering representative leadership. It has 
gathered into group organizations delegates from a thousand of Boston's most efficient 
agencies and associations. It has received several thousand offers of personal volunteer 
service. Contributions for its financial support have come from nearly thirty-five 
hundred individuals, who have thus become contributing members and shareholders 
in Boston-1915. It therefore begins publication with an assured constituency of 
interested readers. 

NEW BOSTON, however, hopes to reach an even wider circle. All over our land 
and throughout the civilized world the problem of city welfare is recognized as of 
growing importance. All successful plans and methods for its solution command the 
attention of an ever-increasing number of thoughtful students of social progress. 

We venture to hope that in many cities, and in country towns as well, there may 
be a welcome for this magazine, as it tries to report and discuss progress in a great 
variety of endeavors directed toward the making of Greater Boston the finest and best 
municipal center which it can become. 

BOSTON-1915-ITS PURPOSES 

Aesop's familiar fable of the belly and the members applies directly to the con- 
ditions of a modern city. The weakness, through neglect or injury, of any function of 
the body-politic means serious harm not merely to that single process, but to the system 
as a whole. If industry or business languish, it is not the comparatively few manu- 
facturers and merchants who are affected most; the chief sufferers are the wage- 
earners, the small tradesmen and the great army of their wives and children. If, on 
the other hand, the health and education of the citizens are uncared for, the ensuing 
sickness and ignorance do not bear hardest upon the immediate victims; they work 
even greater damage to all trade and industry. Just as the Widow Kelly's cow set 
fire to a major portion of Chicago, just as one careless cholera patient has, more than 
once, paralyzed for months the business of entire states, so wrong social conditions 
not only^may, they surely will weaken, fetter and in time destroy the material welfare 
of a whole community. 



2 NEW BOSTON 

It is impossible, therefore, to divorce the problems of business in Boston from 
those of dailj'- living. Every convmercial question involves a complexity of social 
questions. Every industrial })roblem is also a human problem, packed full of propo- 
sitions concerning education, housing, health, play and a hundred other things. 

On the other hand, it is equally impossible to deal with social questions apart 
from those of industry and trade. Good living conditions, proper education, right 
moral standards, etc., are unattainable in any community except upon a basis of 
active industry, ample commerce and increasing general business. 

If Boston, therefore, is to be soundly and permanently developed, the city must 
be dealt with as a whole. It must be regarded as an organism having not only busi- 
ness but social problems, not only interests in things but interests in human beings, 
not only questions of docks, railways and factories, but questions of homes, schools 
and means of recreation. 

The city is amply provided with existing or potential forces for building up every 
one of these many interrelated activities; but each force, to be really effective, must have 
the co-operation of all the others. Business, industry, religion, education, science 
and philanthropy must get together, every one of these agencies carrying forward 
with undiminished vigor its own activities, but doing so with regard to the activities of 
every other, and all of them together constituting, by virtue of organization, an 
irresistible force for the promotion of the common good. These now widely scat- 
tered and more or less unrelated interests cannot co-operate, however, without some 
common center, some clearing house through which efforts may be co-ordinated, 
needless duplications avoided, and agreements for concerted action reached. 

Such an exchange and rallying point Boston-1915 is trying to fit itself to be. 
It seeks, not to create new civic forces but, through effective team-work, to strengthen 
old ones. It aims, not to supersede, but to correlate, the work of others. It hopes, 
not to perpetuate itself as an organization, but, by the organizing of existing agencies, 
to make itself in time superfluous. Having these fundamental ends in view, Boston- 
1915 proposes: 

1. To attempt to re-establish a genuine town meeting for the city of Boston, through its action in 
bringing together, as directors of the Boston-1915 movement, representatives from practically every one 
of the thousand or more organizations which are now working in diverse and unrelated ways for economic, 
social or ethical advance. 

2. Through this representative board of directors to co-ordinate as far as possible the work of their 
constituent organizations, so that the general field of present and future activities may be surveyed, need- 
less duplications avoided, and well-considered plans for definite city development arrived at. 

3. To bring the successive steps in this general plan before the directorate for discussion, for sub- 
mission to the bodies which they represent, and, if approved, for concerted action by the hundreds of or- 
ganizations thus brought together. 

4. To keep in touch with the many similar efforts which are under way in the United States and 
abroad, so that Boston may profit by their successes and avoid their mistakes. 

5. To present graphically and visually the problems of city life, with suggestions for their solution 
through a series of industrial and social expositions conducted either by such bodies as the Chamber of 
Commerce or by Boston-1915 itself. 

6. To impress upon all the people the strength which comes through co-operation and the power 
given through widespread optimism, by keeping the Boston-1915 idea persistently before the public. 

Boston-1915 does not propose to regard itself as in any way an agency for re- 
form. It maintains that a vast majority of the people of Boston desire to have 
the best city possible, and that they need only intelligent organization in order to get it. 



THE GOVERNMENT OF CITIES 3 

It does not intend to interfere with the work of any existing institution which is 
really alive and is intelligently working. 

It will not try to tell such organizations how to carry on their work. 

It does not propose to create new activities parallel to or interfering with ex- 
isting agencies. 

It will not take up partisan, sectarian or other mooted questions regarding which 
there are seemingly irreconcilable differences. 

Boston-1915 appreciates that probably in no other city of the United States 
is so much zealous, unselfish and public-spirited work being carried on as in Boston; 
but to be effective these efforts must be systematized, mobilized and made part 
of a definite campaign. To apply the principles of business organization to a feder- 
ation of all the agencies dealing with all forms of municipal development, and to focus 
this combined effort by setting definite goals for early achievement, is the single 
aim of the Boston-1915 plan. 

THE GOVERNMENT OF CITIES 

After more than half a century's active service as educator, publicist and dip- 
lomat, Andrew D. White says in his autobiography that "as a result of observation 
and reflection during a long life which has touched public men and measures in wide 
variety, I would desire for my country three things above all others to supplement 
our existing American conditions. From Great Britain her administration of crim- 
inal law; from Germany her theatre, and from any European country, save Russia, 
Spain and Turkey, its government of cities." 

In the three years and less since Mr. White wrote, there has come a change in 
the attitude of cities toward their resources and opportunities, and the best methods 
of applying these resources and opportunities. Good city government has come to 
mean more than efficient police departments, fire departments and excise boards. 
More and more it means co-operation in rational city planning, encouraging legis- 
lation to prevent congestion and disease, establishing playground and park systems, 
fighting tuberculosis and working for a better all round city. These "new ideas" are 
taking root in the most fruitful places — the smaller cities and large towns where 
"problems" have not yet outgrown remedies. City planning — yes, more than city 
planning — actual accomplishment has been secured with the help of town councils 
in a dozen small cities we could name offhand. City fathers are giving substantial 
encouragement to societies working to prevent disease and sickness, parks and play- 
grounds are being provided for boys and girls of small towns, and banker and mer- 
chant and laborer are helping in this work that, three or four years ago, belonged alone 
to the preacher and the women's clubs. 

In the smaller cities — these movements toward newer ideals stand out most 
prominently. Boston-1915 is only one example in many that these ideals are present 
and working in the large cities as well. 



THE GENESIS OF BOSTON-1915 



On March 30 of last year seven men 
who had been closely associated with the 
gradual development of a number of or- 
ganizations working for a better Boston, 
and who had learned thereby the value 
of co-operation, brought together, at a 
dinner, 230 of the active leaders of organ- 
ized work for Boston. These seven men 
were Louis D. Brandeis, attorney and 
publicist; John H. Fahey, newpaper pub- 
lisher; Edward A. Filene, retail mer- 
chant; James L. Richards, manager of 
a great public utility; Bernard J. Roth- 
well, president of the Chamber of Com- 
merce; George S. Smith, wholesale mer- 
chant; and James J. Storrow, president 
of the Merchants' Association. By 
vote of the meeting they were authorized 
to organize a co-operative movement; 
offices were opened on March 31; Boston 
— 1915 was incorporated; and work on 
a broad plan for civic advance was be- 
gun at once. 

At this first meeting it was stated that, 
as soon as feasible, the management 
of Boston — 1915 would be made thor- 
oughly representative. The first step 
towards this end was to enlarge the 
directorate. Henry Abrahams, secretary 
of the Boston Central Labor Union; 
Dr. Richard C. Cabot, head of the 
Social Service Department of the Massa- 
chusetts General Hospital; Frank A. 
Day, banker; Rev. John Hopkins Deni- 
son of the Central Church; Rev. Thomas 
I. Gasson, S. J., president Boston Col- 
lege; Arthur M. Huddell of the American 
Federation of Labor; James P. Munroe, 
manufacturer; Judge Michael H. Sulli- 
van, president of the United Improvement 
Association; and Robert A. Woods, head 
worker of South End House, were im- 
mediately added to the temporary board. 



The first task was to bring the Boston 
— 1915 idea before as many citizens as 
possible. The newspapers, which had 
been freely consulted regarding the scope 
and details of the plan, co-operated most 
generously in this campaign. ■ Public 
meetings were held to discuss the move- 
ment, and many clubs and societies 
requested information. A speakers' bu- 
reau was organized and at more than a 
hundred meetings the Boston — 1915 plan 
was presented. These meetings have 
been fruitful in suggestions for better 
co-operation. Bulletins with tentative 
plans of action and goals for achieve- 
ment were also issued. It was essential, 
however, to do things which should 
show what civic co-operation means. 
So Boston — 1915 brought certain or- 
ganizations together to promote voca- 
tional direction; brought others to co- 
operate in establishing a part-time school ; 
secured co-ordinate action in carrying 
forward a series of boys' games in summer 
and, most important of all, undertook 
an Exposition which presented the 
Boston — 1915 idea visibly and concretely 
to those who exhibited and to those who 
came to see. Some of these undertakings 
are described in detail elsewhere in this 
magazine. 

THE BOSTON— 1915 EXPOSITION 

Of the larger enterprises undertaken 
during the first year of Boston — 1915, the 
most important was the Exposition. This 
was held during the month of November, 
1909, and was twice extended, finally to 
the middle of December. It has been 
described as the biggest and most im- 
pressive object lesson ever set before any 
city. The Exposition was undertaken 
in the hope of making the Boston — 1915 



NEW BOSTON 



movement better understood, of bring- 
ing the organizations working in the city 
into closer acquaintanceship, and of 
telhng the people of Boston graphically 
some things about their own community 
which they might have no other op- 
portunity to learn. All of these ends 
were without question pccomplished. 
In six weeks nearly two hundred thou- 
sand people visited the Exposition, and 
opportunity was given to every school 
pupil to see it. The time for preparing 
the exliibits was so short that only the 
readiness of everybody to give generous 
co-operation made the arduous under- 
taking possible. That the enterprise 
was so measurably complete and that 
it closed with practically no deficit 
are remarkable evidences of the earnest- 
ness with which business men, philan- 
thropists and the citizens at large entered 
into the work. 

SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED 

The School Committee having called 
upon Boston — 1915 to devise means for 
helping pupils select their life work, 
this organization brought the Vocational 
Bureau, which had already given two 
years' study to this question, and the 
School Committee together, with the 
result that vocational direction in the 
schools is an established fact. 

The Young Men's Christian Asso- 
ciation, having undertaken to start a 
part-time school of engineering, appealed 
to Boston — 1915 to secure the co-opera- 
tion of business houses, manufacturing 
concerns, labor unions and public service 
bodies in carrying out their scheme. 
This the organization was able to do. 

The women employes of one of the 
large retail stores asked Boston — 1915 
if it could not secure the reservation 
throughout the summer of seats on the 
Common for women during the midday 
hours. The Public Grounds Depart- 
ment responded immediately, and certain 



department stores co-operated in em- 
ploying a man to see that the benches 
were reserved. 

A series of schoolboy games was held 
through the vacation season. Alto- 
gether more than 1,700 boys took part; 
the final meet with 450 entries was one 
of the largest ever held in Boston, 
and outdoor entertainment was given 
to thousands of onlookers. Simple medals 
were awarded by Boston — 1915, which 
also paid the expense involved and se- 
cured the co-operation of thirty of the 
best physicians in the city as examining 
doctors. The arrangements and manage- 
ment of the games were put into the 
hands of the Playground Association, 
which carried them through with the 
co-operation of the School, Park and 
Public Grounds Departments. 

Other large projects already under 
way deeply affect the great problems 
of city development. One of these is 
to educate the people, and especially 
the youth, in what civic duty really 
means. To that end Boston — 1915 has 
offered medals for city progress, to be 
awarded for extraordinary service to 
the whole or to some section of the 
municipality. Organizations and so- 
cieties as well as individuals are eligible. 
Representative men and women are act- 
ing as judges, and many interesting 
suggestions for awards have been sent 
in. Mr. Pratt, the distinguished sculptor, 
is making the design for the medal. 

Another project already under way 
is for a "City Guard" of boys and girls 
who shall be military scouts for report- 
ing to the department or organization 
concerned all offences against good city 
housekeeping. In this connection there 
has been active since last summer a 
Boston — 1915 Saner Fourth Committee, 
which is distributing impressive statistics 
upon the loss of life and limb through 
dangerous explosives. This committee 
has a staff of young surgeons speaking 



THE GENESIS OF BOSTON-1915 



to parents, teachers and children, and 
is actively planning proper substitutes 
for the present barbarous methods of 
celebrating the national holidays. 

Fundamental to all city development 
is the question of housing, and the 
Housing Committee of Boston — 1915 
has been carrying on for many months 
an investigation into present conditions 
of congestion, and into possible means 
of remedy. This is a problem to which 
Boston — 1915 will be called upon to 
devote immediate, serious and con- 
certed effort. A complete resume of this 
report is given on another page. 

In co-operation with the Chamber 
of Commerce, the United Improvement 
Association, the Boston Home and School 
Association, and other existing effective 
agencies, Boston — 1915 is active in pro- 
moting the development of municipal 
research, the establishing of educational 
centers, the proper disposal of city 
wastes, education in hygiene and in 
the prevention of unnecessary disease 
and defect, the broadening of aesthetic 
influences, an understanding of co-opera- 
tion and the widespread development 
of a sound civic spirit. 

To carry forward these co-operative 
plans already under way, and to promote 
many others it was essential, of course, 
to place Boston — 1915 as early as pos- 
sible upon the broad representative 
basis originally planned. Therefore, as 
soon as the tremendous labor involved 
in carrying out the Exposition was over, 
the formation of the enlarged directorate 
was begun. The more than 1,600 agencies 



active in Boston were divided into groups 
according to their lines of special in- 
terest; conferences of these sections were 
called and every group, except the re- 
ligious, has elected a stipulated number 
of directors. In addition the share- 
holders of Boston — 1915 have chosen 
five directors to represent Boston, and 
five to represent the suburbs. Thus 
has been formed as the Board of Directors 
for Boston — 1915 a delegate body of 
men and women who from now on will 
manage the movement and guide its 
activities. Substantially all the group 
conferences, moreover, have permanently 
organized for co-operative action within 
their special spheres. 

Obviously, the problem of financing 
a great movement like this is serious. 
In the beginning the necessary funds 
were provided by those responsible for 
its inception. Later, voluntary con- 
tributions were received. And after 
some months a tentative canvass of 
certain parts of the city was made so 
that every one might have a share in 
the Boston — 1915 work. A plan for 
extending this canvass systematically 
and broadly will later be presented. 

There has never, perhaps, been any 
similar movement which has so at- 
tracted the attention of the country 
at large, and the idea of which has been 
so generally adopted as has Boston — 1915. 
It is at once the result and the inspira- 
tion of a great wave of civic awakening 
which is sweeping over the whole coun- 
try and which is destined to produce 
a profound effect upon the national life. 



THE DEMOCRACY OF BOSTON-1915 



C. BERTRAND THOMPSON 



A number of interesting problems have 
confronted the committee appointed to 
develop a workable plan for Boston-1915, 
whereby the city's 1,645 organizations 
might have an effective and controlling 
voice in the direction of the movement. 

The general aim was to organize 
on the mass meeting plan so far as pos- 
sible, but it was obviously impracticable 
to call a mass meeting of all the organ- 
izations interested at one time or place, 
so they had to be grouped in some 
workable classification. After weeks of 
study, modification and compromise 
the following grouping was effected, 
which can hardly claim to be logical 
but which has the far greater advantage 
of being practical and comprehensive: 

1. Business organizations. 

2. Charities and correction. 

3. Education. 

4. Health. 

5. Labor organizations. 

6. Neighborhood work. 

7. Rehgious organizations. 

8. Fine and industrial arts. 

9. Civic organizations. 

10. City planning and housing. 

11. Co-operative associations. 

12. Women's clubs. 

13. Organizations working with youth. 

The object of this grouping was to 
provide a convenient means for the 
election of the governing body of Boston- 
1915, by the organizations working in 
any way for the betterment of the city. 
An interesting question arose as to the 
apportionment of these representatives 
between the groups. Six or seven dif- 
ferent plans were tried and finally the 
committee agreed upon a division of 
the groups into two classes, distinguish- 
able, roughly, as the larger and the smaller 
groups. Six directors were given to 
each of the larger groups, and three to 



the smaller, thus providing for a Board of 
Directors which should be widely rep- 
resentative of all the city's interests, 
and should include many of the most 
efficient men and women engaged in 
active work for the city. 

In order to maintain the continuity 
of the movement it was thought best 
that the present fifteen directors should 
remain on the new board as charter 
directors. Also it was found essential 
to secure for the contributing members 
of Boston-1915, the shareholders, a direct 
representation on the board; and so pro- 
vision was made for ten more directors to 
be elected by them. As these contributing 
members are widely distributed through 
the city of Boston and the whole metro- 
politan district, the selection of their 
directors was made to conform to the 
natural geographical division — five from 
different parts of the city, and five from 
the metropolitan area. This makes a 
total of eighty-five for the new Board of 
Directors. 

The actual working out of the plan 
has developed an extremely interesting 
social movement. The first group to be 
gathered together was the labor organiza- 
tions. These, after full and free discus- 
sion, decided to have their six directors 
elected not by the conference of delegates 
from the labor organizations, but by 
the Central Labor Union, the Building 
Trades Council, the Knights of Labor, 
and the Railroad Brotherhoods. The 
other groups held conferences beginning 
on February 21 and ending with the 
contributing members' meeting on March 
17. All of the conference groups not 
only elected their directors but formed 



8 



THE DEMOCRACY OF BOSTON-1915 



permanent organizations. In that short 
interval of less than a month, eleven 
conferences were organized, including 
representatives from 880 out of a possible 
1,100 organizations. Heretofore, when 
a single group like the workers with 
boys, or settlement workers, or improve- 
ment associations, has drawn together 
fifteen or twenty representatives to form 
a permanent body, the fact has been 
heralded as a significant forward step. 
Imagine, then, the meaning of a process 
which has resulted in the organization 
in less than a month of eleven confer- 
ences representing 880 active institutions. 

As the result of this work, Boston now 
has organizations for permanent and 
effective activity, supported by its 
workers in education, health, charities 
and correction, city planning and hous- 
ing, etc. The Federated Women's Clubs 
in and about Boston have organized 
practically a sub-federation to lay special 
emphasis on the civic possibilities of 
their work in the city. The business 
organizations also have combined to 
give definite expression of their civic in- 
terest, and the many workers with boys 
and young men, and with girls and 
young women, have combined their 
forces in recognition of the fact that 
their problems are of such a nature that 
they cannot be handled separately. The 
artistic, musical, dramatic, and literary 
societies of the town, which have general- 
ly felt that their work was, in its nature, 
separate and individual, have realized 
their social and co-operative possibilities 
and have combined to advise ways and 
means to extend the highest culture in 
the broadest and most democratic way. 

The action of the labor unions is also 
of great significance. Organized labor 
has, for years, been struggling for the 
betterment of social conditions, at the 
same time that it has-been working for 
higher wages. Efforts towards co-opera- 
tion with other bodies have not always 



been received in the most kindly way, 
and the result was the formation of an 
exclusive class consciousness which neces- 
sarily impaired the efficiency of the 
unions' social work and retarded the 
advent of the very improvements for 
which they were striving. From the 
beginning Boston-1915 has made every 
effort to check this tendency. Strong, 
representative labor men were on the 
original Board of Directors, and the 
new board has six more of the lead- 
ing officials of the Boston unions. Recog- 
nizing the essential unity of interest 
of all elements of the community, these 
men stand for the extension of the same 
co-operative spirit which was responsible 
for the organization of their own unions, 
and the organization of all forces working 
for civic betterment. 

The Board of Directors which has been 
gathered together from these confer- 
ences may, without exaggeration, be 
called the most remarkable body of 
public spirited and efficient citizens 
that has ever been organized in a 
single social movement in Boston. The 
list may be found in earlier pages of 
this magazine and is worth going over 
in detail, partly because it shows the 
wide variety of organizations in Boston, 
and partly on account of the insight 
it gives into the kind of men and women 
which Boston is fortunate enough to 
possess. 

It is expected that all of the confer- 
ences will get sufficiently under way 
this spring, to show tangible results 
in the summer or fall. The conferences 
of charities and correction, education, 
neighborhood work, fine and industrial 
arts, and youth organizations have made 
beginnings, either themselves, or through 
their executive committees. They are 
considering such subjects as the detailed 
plans for the saner celebration of the 
Fourth of Jul}^ the possibilities of an 
exhibit of fine and industrial arts during 



10 



NEW BOSTON 



the summer at the old x\rt Museum, and 
the organization of a co-operative store in 
Brockton. Committees have l)een ap- 
pointed to consider the education of 
immigrants in Boston schools, and also 
to investigate the location and construc- 
tion of schoolhouses with reference to 
their more extended use. The Health 
Conference was represented by Prof. 
Rosenau, at the hearing at the City Hall, 
on the disposal of garbage and refuse. 
In the Civic Conference began the move- 
ment as the result of which the valuable 
collection of statistical material, which 
has been reposing in oblivion at the 
Public Library, may be brought up to 
date and made available to all social 
workers in Boston. A committee will 
be appointed to ascertain whether the 
powers of the Boston iVrt Commission 
are as extensive as they should be to 



protect the city's aesthetic interests. 
The Conferences of Charities and Cor- 
rection, Education, Health, and Neigh- 
borhood Work are preparing for meetings 
this spring for a general survey of the 
needs of Boston in various fields, to be 
addressed by Robert A. Woods, Charles 
W. Birtwell, Dr. Charles W. Eliot, James 
P. Munroe, Dr. Richard C. Cabot, Miss 
Ellen W. Coolidge and others. 

Out of these co-ordinated studies, 
there must, sooner or later, evolve a 
unified view of the city and its needs 
such as has not heretofore been possible. 
Only through such correlated confer- 
ences as Boston-1915 is now organizing 
and holding is it possible to consider all 
sides of the question in their relative 
importance. This possibility is one of 
the unique contributions which Boston- 
1915 is making to social progress. 



BOSTON'S HOUSING PROBLEM 



The report of the Boston-1915 Com- 
mittee on Housing has already received 
considerable publicity from the newspapers 
of Boston. It was quite natural that 
the local press should "play up" the 
distressing features that were laid bare 
by the investigations in the North and 
West Ends — conditions which demand 
radical remedy — and not dwell upon the 
broader question as it affects, or soon 
will affect, the whole ]\Ietropolitan Dis- 
trict. In connection with the recent 
publication of Lawrence Veiller's book. 
The Housing Problem, there has ap- 
peared a "going, going, gone" adver- 
tisement — the two "goings" being ap- 
plied to the festering housing questions 
of the town and small city, and the 
"gone" to the incurable tenements that 
follow the city's unguided growth. 



The tenement sections of Boston's 
North and West Ends have about 
reached the "gone" stage, and to use 
the committee's own words "a gradual 
moving-out process" is necessary, fol- 
lowed by better housing under natural 
and acceptable conditions. However, 
unless careful inspection is extended 
beyond the city proper — 77,500 persons 
who do their business or earn their 
wages in Boston do not sleep there — 
the committee feels that "we should, 
in fact, merely be drawing a dead line 
around our city without reaching the 
evils with which we seek to deal; we 
should be driving the disease from which 
we now suffer out among our neighbors, 
instead of putting an end to it. Such 
a course would cost us heavily, and would 
do no good." 




AIRSIIAFT ADJOINING i7 CROSS STREET 



12 



NEW BOSTON 




No building law, no health or sani- 
tary regulation which does not take 
in the entire Metropolitan District can 
in the long run be effective, and in order 
to break down any possible "dead line 
of good housing" the committee feels 
that new legislation is needed that will 
empower some body to act through local 
authorities by means "of supervisory 
powers and co-ordinate authority in 
case the local authority were remiss, 
such as is given to the State Board of 
Health in other matters. In the pres- 
ent emergency, however, and until such 
conditions as now exist can be altered 
substantially, we believe that little can 
be accomplished in the district at large 
except through a strong body acting 
directly and with power of putting con- 
gested points under a special system of 
inspection. Such a body must be given 
power directly or through local authority, 
first, to stop the spread of congestion, 
and then to put an end to it where it 
now exists, by inaugurating a gradual 
moving-out process, while new housing 
is provided for those so moved, under 
natural and acceptable conditions." 

This "gradual moving-out process" 
will necessarily work hardship on the 
land-owners in the North and West 
Ends. Some of these are immigrants 
who have acted on the sound policy of 
investing their money in real estate and 
accepted conditions as they found them. 
If the population in these wards is 
rapidly reduced, the investments of 
these persons will be swept away, and 
in such an event "the community which 
has for years allowed such conditions to 
exist has a moral obligation not to throw 
upon these persons the whole burden 
of changes which must be made. We 
do not intend to suggest that this con- 
stitutes a valid excuse for allowing such 
conditions to continue — for it does not. 
But in any measures which are taken 
to remedy this evil, involving the trans- 



ALLEY OFF 95 PRINCE STREET 



BOSTON'S HOUSING PROBLEM 



13 



fer of values from one district to another, 
the rights of these persons should be 
considered and the community should see 
that no injustice is done because of its 
failure to do its duty at the proper 
time." 

"Illegitimate congestion" is the phrase 
that the committee uses in considering the 
reasons for the steady rise in land values 
in the North and West Ends. That is 
to say, while congestion and land values 
have been increasing in Wards 6 and 8, 
values in South Boston and Charlestown 
have steadily declined, in spite of the 
fact that from the manufacturers' view- 
point property in the latter sections is 
as valuable as in the former. The com- 
mittee thinks that "this is perfectly 
natural, for it is a matter of commom 
knowledge in this and in other com- 
munities that congested districts furnish 
the conditions under which labor of 





A CHILDREN'S " PLAYGROUND " OFF 
NORTH STREET 



A NAMELESS ALLEY OFF 
CROSS STREET 




CKl^LAR OF 12 GRAY STREUT, CHARI^KSTOWN 



this class is cheapest and most plentiful. 
In fact, it has been given as the reason 
of some manufacturers for moving into 
congested districts that it is cheaper 



to burn men and women than coal. 
In this way, illegitimate congestion — 
that is, occupancy beyond what reason- 
able regulations would permit, tips the 




KITCHEN IN THIRD FLOOR APARTMENT AT 20 MORTON STREET 
No provisions for light or air. Window opens on adjoining room. Notice light burning at midday. 




ENTRANCE TO 16 MORTON STREET 

This condition existed in August, 1909, while the housing investigation was on. 

The stairway is used by five familiis. 



scale in favor of those districts, and Wards 
6 and 8 are attracting business at the 
expense of their neighbors. When manu- 
facturers move into these wards, this 
naturally has the effect of increasing land 
values, which results in increasing rents, 
which in turn can best be paid by in- 
creasing congestion. Thus the condi- 
tion aggravates itself. 

"Looked at from another side, the 
situation is this: The average rent per 
room per week in these congested dis- 
tricts seems to be approximately ninety 
cents, while the average rent per capita 
is about sixty cents, the average number 



of persons per room being about 1.5. 
In the uncongested districts that we 
have studied, where the same class of 
people are housed, the rent per room has 
come down to sixty cents, at which price 
further building for legitimate use is 
unprofitable." 

As far as congestion of people within 
the buildings goes, the committee be- 
lieves that the law as it now stands 
vests sufficient power in the local Health 
Department to deal with the problem. 
A vigorous public opinion is needed, 
however, and in order to assist in clearing 
up the local situation, Boston-1915 will, 



16 



NEW BOSTON 



at the suggestion of the Housing Com- 
mittee, organize a bureau whose duty 
it shall be to investigate housing com- 
plaints registered from any portion of 
the city. This bureau will give op- 




portunity to the Associated Charities, 
Nurses' Associations, settlements and 
kindred social organizations to follow 
up complaints which, if warranted, will 
be laid before the proper departments and 
pushed through, if possible. 

The report of H. K. Estabrook, who 
made the detailed investigation of four 
blocks in the North and West Ends, is 
much too long for reprint here. Quota- 
tions are published in later pages of this 
magazine. The report is being published 
in pamphlet form, however, and may be 
obtained at cost price, ten cents, from 
Boston-1915. Below we reprint that 
section of the housing committee report 
which summarizes Mr. Estabrook's find- 
ings. 

"The districts in Wards 6 and 8, which 
can be strictly called tenement districts, 
cover an area, including streets, of about 
103 acres. This area, according to the 
Massachusetts Census of 1905, had a 
population of approximately 44,000 peo- 
ple. In other words, on a piece of land 
which would be thought small for a 
single country place w^e find the popu- 
lation of a good-sized city. The in- 
vestigations which we have made in- 















i . 

M 


i- 


f'^t 


.-:| 



CLEVEIyAND PLACE 
'A foot-hill of the gas-tank" 



CELLAR WATER-CLOSET IN CELLAR OF 

10 GRAY STREET, CHARLESTOWN 

Used by three families 



BOSTON'S HOUSING PROBLEM 



17 




A FILTHY, MUCH USED 

PASSAGEWAY RUNNING 

AIvONG REAR OF HALE 

STREET HOUSES 



dicate that more than 20,000 of these 
people live under conditions where they 
have in bedrooms less than 400 cubic 
feet of air per capita. That is to say, 
these 20,000 people are actually living be- 
low the lowest standard fixed as the 
minimum by any city, in the United 
States or Europe, which has undertaken 
to establish a minimum, so far as we 
know. 

We believe the above to be a fair 
statement of the conditions of conges- 
tion of people within the buildings. 

"As to the conditions of congestion of 
buildings on the land our figures indicate 
that more than 80 per cent of the land, 
exclusive of streets, is covered by build- 
ings, while many of the streets are very 
narrow, and on the average about 16 
per cent of the rooms are dark. 

"In the matter of sanitary arrange- 
ments and facilities for washing, we 
find that there is an average of only one 
faucet to each family of five persons, 
and only one water-closet to every eight 
persons, and a large number of these 
water-closets are dark and filthy. 

"A condition of affairs where 20,000 
people have less than 400 cubic feet^of 
air space for sleeping purposes, and where 




REAR OF 93 PRI.N'CE STREET 
Every room in this house is occupied 



18 



NEW BOSTON 



proper living conditions are impossible, 
speaks for itself. Its full evil effects, 
social and physical, are not susceptible 
of demonstration in figures, though they 
show plainly enough in the death rate 
of infants. Moreover, the effects of 
this condition, in swelling the rolls of 
hospitals, almshouses and insane asylums, 
are increasing our annual totals of ex- 
pense, for state and city; but here also 



the causes of this expense do not show 
in the figures." 

The committee which supervised this 
painstaking investigation is composed 
of Philip Cabot, chairman, E. T. Hart- 
man, Secretary, and Meyer Bloomfield, 
Matthew Hale, Charles Logue, J. R. Cool- 
idge, Jr., Richards M. Bradley, W. H. 
Manning, Henry G. Dunderdale, William 
D. Austin and Joseph Lee. 



FROM THE ESTABROOK REPORT 



BOSTON AS AN IMMIGRANT PORT 

As Boston is next to New York the largest im- 
migration port, probably more immigrants settle 
in the North and West Ends than in any other 
community except New York. At any rate, the 
percentage of foreign-born in these districts in- 
creased from 55 in 1900 to 59 in 1905; and thus 
their population then increased, and is probably 
now increased even more through the coming of 
immigrants than through the very high birth rate. 

For housing this increase, the West End, and 
yet more the North End, have a constantly de- 
creasing area. Lots, and some whole blocks, on 
which few years ago lived hundreds of persons, 
are now devoted entirely to business. 



427 PERSONS TO THE ACRE 

In the North End in 1905, 22,779 persons, 
or 76% of total population of Ward 6, lived on 
the forty-three blocks bounded by Endicott, 
Thacher, Washington Street North, Causeway, 
Prince, Snowhill, Charter, Jackson Ave., Com- 
mercial, North and Cross streets. These blocks 
and one-half their bounding streets have an area 
of 57.2 acres; and the density of population is 
398 persons per acre. 

Similarly, in the W'est End, 21,222 persons, 
69% of the population of Ward 8, lived on the 
thirty-nine blocks bounded by Merrimac, Pitts, 
(Jrcen, Chambers, Allen, Charles, Leverett, 
Brighton, Lowell, Minot, Nashua and Causeway 
streets; with one-half their bounding streets, an 
area of 45.9 acres, and a density of 462 persons 
per acre. 

Thus, the tenement districts of the North and 
West Ends, with a population in 1905 of 44,001, 
on 103.1 acres, had a density of population of 427 
persons per acre. 



CONGESTION SURPASSES CHICAGO 

The tenement districts of the North and West 
Ends are said to be, and probably are, more densely 
populated than any other American city or district — 
except in New York. The Chicago "tenement 
house population is oppressively dense," those 
working to improve conditions have said; but the 
three districts there, with a little greater popula- 
tion than the North and West Ends tenement 
districts, have 206.2 persons per acre; and the 
most crowded district, 265.8. 

CROWDING IN NEW YORK AND CHICAGO 

How do these Boston districts really compare 
with New York, where, for "the Lower East Side, 
whose congestion is infamously the worst in the 
world," the maximum density in 1905 is given 
as 575.5 persons per acre.'' 

Of New York assembly districts, only eight, 
all but one of them on the lower East Side, had 
over 407 persons per acre, and only one not on 
the lower East Side over 370. Even if these New 
York densities are accurate — and they are apparent- 
ly too great because the total population outside 
institutions is divided by the "acreage of the blocks 
having residence population" — the average density 
in our North and West End tenement districts 
is considerably greater than that of any district 
but one beyond the lower East Side, and it is 74% 
as great as on the lower East Side. The chief dif- 
ference is that New York's densely populated 
district is several times as extensive as Boston's. 

BOSTON'S MOST CROWDED BLOCK 

Block No. 33, boimded by Prince, Thacher, 
North Margin streets and Lafayette Avenue, 
was — so far as known — the most densely populated 
block in Boston; it had 956 residents on .84 of an acre. 



FROM THE ESTABROOK REPORT 



19 



They lived in houses averaging three and two-thirds 
stories high — viz., 310 persons per acre per story. 
New York's most crowded block had 1,672 per 
acre in houses averaging five and one-half stories, 
or 304 per acre per story. 

The 956 persons on this North End block lived 
in 403 rooms — according to a careful count, — an 
average of 2.37 persons per room, including all 
but halls, bathrooms and closets, and supposing 
all rooms on the block occupied. New York, for 
a considerable number of rooms, has found at the 
most 1.78 persons per room. Thus, the crowding 
on this block was 33% greater than in New York. 
The conditions on this block may be extreme. 
In our North and West Ends and South Cove in 
1908 the Immigration Commission found an aver- 
age of 144 persons per hundred rooms occupied, 
as compared with 139 in New York's immigrant 
districts, and from 115 to 141 in five other large 
cities. 

TYPICAL BLOCKS STUDIED 

The four blocks for detailed study are not the 
best or the worst to be found, — not the most 
crowded or the least crowded. After consulting 
many who know the districts well, and seeing 
something of nearly all the 80-90 blocks of the 
North and West End tenement districts, I believe 
these four blocks are typical of all. As live nearly 
2,400 persons on these four blocks, so live the 44,000 
or more inhabitants of the North and West End 
tenement districts. 

The four blocks studied were: — 1st, that bounded 
by Salem, Stillman, Morton and Endicott streets, 
whose residents are one-half Poles and one-half 
chiefly Russian Jews and some Italians; 2nd, the 
block bounded by Prince, Snowhill, Cleveland 
Place and Margaret street, whose residents are 
two-thirds Italians and one-third Jews; 3rd, the 
block bounded by Pitts, South Margin, Hale and 
Green streets, with about an equal number of Jews 
and Italians; and 4th, the block bounded by Poplar, 
Brighton, Milton and Spring streets, nearly all 
whose residents are Jews. The study of each 
block shows to greater or less extent: 1st, crowd- 
ing of the houses on the land; 2nd, to a limited 
degree, crowding of too many families in the houses, 
and far more, the crowding of too many persons 
within the apartments. 

CONDITIONS IN THE HOUSES 

The water-closets and the halls are darker than 
the living-rooms. In one-third of the houses on 
the fourth block, and in from 40% to 73% of the 
houses on the other three blocks, the halls and the 



stairways were dark, dirty or filthy, and inade- 
quately ventilated; and in from 52% to 91.3% of 
the houses on each block, they were less than three 
feet wide, the minimum allowed by the present 
Boston building law. Of the water-closets, on 
each block 48% to 65% are dark— 58% to 67.5% 
inadequately ventilated, — and 60% to 77% 
dirty or filthy; on the first block, 23.2% of all the 
water-closets were filthy when inspected. 

Living in a cellar or basement is probably bad 
even where light, ventilation and sim are plenti- 
ful. How much worse is it for the five families 
on the second block who live entirely in cellars 
or basements! 



IN THE BEDROOMS 

The Immigration Commission in its recent 
investigation found an average of 232 persons 
per hundred sleeping rooms in the immigrant 
districts of the seven large cities studied. In- 
cluding kitchens, and even a bathroom, used as 
bedrooms — as perhaps the commission did not 
do — we found on the fourth block 209 persons 
per hundred bedrooms; on the third block 236; 
on the first block 241; and on the second block 
261, or twenty-nine more than the average in the 
seven cities; on the five blocks together, we found 
2,126 persons in 891 bedrooms, an average of 
239 per hundred bedrooms. Thus, the North and 
West End tenement districts are considerably 
more congested than the immigrant districts of 
the other large cities. 

Bedrooms are occupied day and night by two 
sets of sleepers on each block; one by three persons 
on the fourth block; two by six persons on the 
second block; four by ten persons on the third 
block; and twelve by thirty-three persons on the 
first block — here, as usual, the worst. In one 
three-room apartment on the top floor on Still- 
man street, one room is occupied by three men, 
the one bed in the other bedroom by a young man 
during the day and by two young women at night, 
and in the kitchen a woman sleeps during the day 
and the mother and two children at night. 



CONGESTION IN WARDS 6 AND 8 

The density of population, for whole wards, is 
greatest in Ward 8 — 192 persons per acre. In 
Ward 6, it is 106 per acre. But, as only part of 
Ward 8 is devoted to housing, and Ward 6 includes 
much of the business district, these statistics give 
no idea of real conditions. For whole wards, the 
average persons per dwelling shows congestion 
best. In 1907, it was 20.7 in Ward 6, and 16.6 
in Ward 8, and in no other ward over 13.4, or two- 



20 



NEW BOSTON 



thirds as many as in Ward 6; in fifteen wards it 
was between 5.5 and 10. 

BUILDINGS CROWDED ON LAND 

From 82% to 85% of the entire area of each of 
the four blocks is covered by buildings. On most 
corners of two blocks are five or six story business 
buildings, shutting out much light and air from 
nearby houses. The houses themselves cover on 
the average on each block from 81% to 88% of 
their lots. Though in most cities, including 
New York, the law allows no new tenement house to 
occupy more than 90% of even a corner lot, or 
more than 70% and sometimes 65% of an interior 
lot, — a large majority of the houses on each side 
of these Boston blocks cover over 80% of their 
lots, and most of the others between 70% and 80%. 
On the second block, only four cover less than 80%, 
and 48% of all over 90% of their lots. Here, and 
on each of the first and third blocks, four houses 
cover their entire lots, and few of these twelve 
houses are corner houses. 

DARK ROOMS AND HALLWAYS 

The crowding of the houses on the land results 
in many dark rooms. From 13.7% to 18.5% of all 
rooms on each block are dark; and there are one 
or more dark rooms in 34% of the apartments on 
the first block, and in 40% to 47.5% of the apart- 
ments on the other three blocks. From 14.7% 
to 22% of all rooms on each block are inadequately 
ventilated, usually because windows open on a yard 
or alley under ten feet wide, or because they have 
no outside window. 

The water-closets and the halls are darker than 
the living-rooms. In one-third of the houses 
on the fourth block, and in from 40% to 73% of 
the houses on the other three blocks, the halls 
and the stairways were dark, dirty or filthy, and 
inadequately ventilated; and in from 52% to 91.3% 
of the houses on each block, they were less than 
three feet wide, the minimum allowed by the 
present Boston building law. Of the water-closets, 
on each block 48% to 65% are dark— 58% to 67.5% 
inadequately ventilated, — and 60% to 77% dirty 
or filthy; on the first block, 23.2% of all the water- 
closets were filthy when inspected. 

Living in a cellar or basement is probably bad 
even where light, ventilation and sun are plenti- 
ful. How much worse is it for the five families 
on the second block who live entirely in cellars 
or basements! 

MORTALITY RATES 

Statistics of disease and death in the North 
and West Ends show, to a very limited extent. 



the bad results of congestion.* Statistics are 
not yet available which give any definite idea 
of the cost of congestion in efficiency and life. 
For numerous reasons, morbidity — and mortal- 
ity — rates should be low in the North and West 
Ends: I — A large majority of the adults are re- 
cent immigrants, nearly all young, and — on arrival 
to this country — healthy, strong, and as a rule 
temperate. II — After few years here, many 
families move to less congested districts; III — Al- 
most all the babies are breast-fed — and breast-fed 
babies of strong temperate parents withstand 
much that would kill artificially fed or poorly 
cared-for children of weaker or intemperate parents. 
IV — About half the total population are Jews who 
are particularly able to resist disease; and (V) most 
of the other half are Italians and eastern Europeans 
who often return to their native lands when ill. 
But, in spite of all these reasons, the death-rate 
is considerably higher in the North and West Ends 
than elsewhere. Here, breast-fed babies die — - 
three hundred each year — in as large a proportion 
as the babies of other districts, many of whom are 
not breast-fed; here, strong young men and women 
sicken and die faster than the weaker and older 
men and women of other districts; — because of 
ignorance, poverty, and — not the least important — 
congestion. 

CRIME AND CONGESTION 

Whether there are any accurate statistics of 
wrong-doing in congested districts, I do not know. 
Here, I try to show only the conditions under which 
thousands of men, women and children live — or 
exist — in North and West End tenements. The 
rooms are sometimes cold, sometimes hot, but 
always close; in the only sitting room are washtubs 
and much clothing, and sometimes a bed and a 
cradle; food on the stove, and dishes on the table; 
the baby crying, other children squabbling, and 
the mother scolding, for everyone is tired. At 
bedtime, not only whole families — of all ages and 
both sexes, and well and ill — but often also unre- 
lated, unmarried lodgers, between eighteen and 
thirty-five years old, and of both sexes, — crowd into 
apartments of two, three and four rooms; for all 
six or ten of them the only chance to bathe, in most 
apartments, is at the kitchen sink; often, the only 
way for those of one sex to enter their bedrooms 
is through one or two bedrooms occupied by the 
other sex, and sometimes between the bedrooms 
there is no door or only half a partition. 



*The general death rate in these districts, Wards 6 and 
8, was 20.4 per 1,000 in 1900, and 17.7 in 1905, the last 
years for which the population is known, while in the 
suburban wards — 16, 20, 24, 23 and 25 — Dorchester, 
West Roxbury and Brighton, it was only 14.5 in 1900, 
and 13.3 in 1905. Registry Department Report for 1900, 
p. 5, and Report for 1907, pp. 249-287. 



.,: -'^'f-''^ 




JWlC«lS>fN-Tll(HintlT-l 



THE BOYS' GAMES OF 1909 



FRANK S. MASON 

Chairman Boys' Games Committee 



In May, 1909, by a pledge of $2,000 
for two years, there was made possible 
a great work for the boys of Boston — 
a work which 1915 undertook as its 
first specific task in this field. At a 
dinner at the City Club, it was voted 
that the first summer's endeavors should 
be in the way of organized games, field 
and track sports. 

A Boston-1915 Boys' Games Com- 
mittee of seventeen was organized, and 
it was decided that the actual working 
out of the games should be placed in 
the hands of the Boston School Play- 
ground Association, with the under- 
standing that it should change its name 
to the Boston Playground Association. 
An early meeting of that association was 
called and reorganization effected which 
replaced some ten or twelve teachers 
that were on the old board with an equiv- 
alent number of representatives of the 
Boys' Games Committee. 

Upon request of the Executive Com- 
mittee of Boston 1915, Dr. Thomas F. 
Harrington, president of the Playground 
Association, submitted a plan for the 



simimer work, which was approved and 
endorsed by the Executive Committee. 
This plan comprised a series of twenty- 
one meets — twenty district meets and 
one final meet in which all the winners 
of the district meets should come to- 
gether for competition. At the outset 
the Playground Association was handi- 
capped by lack of necessary co-operation 
from the city departments, and as late 
as July 1 no decision had been reached 
regarding what playgrounds could be 
used or whether or not it would be pos- 
sible to carry on any water sports. 

Meanwhile, arrangements had been 
made for registration centers in Charles- 
town, East Boston, North End, West 
End, the city proper, two in Roxbury, 
two in West Roxbury, Dorchester, Ros- 
lindale, Jamaica Plain, Brighton and 
South Boston. The settlement houses 
and branch libraries were important 
factors in eft'ectively covering the ground. 
In connection with these centers, a 
supervisory committee of three persons 
interested in boys was appointed, and 
a committee of fifteen boys in each 



21 




PARTICIPANTS IN 





THE FINAL MEET 





.^L^ifiS^IBb^ 




lA^ira ^.^^ mTw^^^^M 




.. ./. 



24 



NEW BOSTON 



district was organized to work under the 
supervisory committee. The duties of 
the boys' committee consisted of bringing 
about registration, informing other boys 
of the district about the games, and 
organizing a nucleus for fair sport and 
proper registration. To each district 
was also apportioned two physicians 
who gave their services. Their duties 
were to make proper physical examina- 
tion and certify the applications so that 
there might be no one unfit physically 
to take part in the contests. 

Inasmuch as the first events were 
scheduled to take place July 10, the 
Boys' Games Committee made strenu- 
ous efforts to get the Park Department, 
the School Department and the Bath 
Department together on the matter of 
grounds. As soon as the Park Depart- 
ment realized fully the importance of 
the program it had a representative go 
over the playgrounds with a delegate 
from the School Department and de- 
cision was very soon reached. Ten 
playgrounds were allotted for the sports. 
The final meet was held at Wood Island 
Park, September 4, and over 600 boys 
competed before some 5,000 spectators. 

No decision was reached by the Bath 
Department until the latter part of 
July, so the four meets for water sports 
were held in August, the last in con- 
nection with the annual water sports of 
the Volunteer Life Saving Corps. 

Every meet was held during the summer 
as scheduled, and all the events as planned 
by Dr. Harrington were carried out. 
The police and grounds arrangements 
were in most cases excellent. As the 
playgrounds instructors who had charge 
of the meets became familiar with the 
conditions in the respective neighbor- 
hoods, the events were run ofi' with 
a smoothness that was almost i:)ro- 
fessional. The registration, while not 
so large as the committee had hojied, 
was very effective in preventing dupli- 



cation of entries at meets and in hold- 
ing boys to their districts. No acci- 
dents occurred at any of the meets, and 
thanks to the examinations, not one case 
of physical weakness developed. 

The awarding of prizes was remark- 
ably free from any expressions of dis- 
satisfaction on the part of the boys. 
In each of the twenty-one events which 
constituted a meet, four prizes were 
awarded, the senior events having as 
prizes shield-shaped emblems in gold 
and silver plate and solid bronze. The 
fourth prize was an attractive ribbon. 
The junior prizes were of the same 
metals, octagonal shape. At the final 
meet the prizes were gold, silver and 
gun metal watches, with silver cups 
for the winners of the relay races. In 
all 1,485 prizes were distributed. The 
complete registration was 2,735, the 
attendance at the games, 51,500, and 
the total expenditure, $1,956. 

The interest of the residents of the 
districts where meets were held was 
strongly developed from the start and 
grew as the meets progressed. There 
were only one or two instances where 
less than a thousand spectators were 
present, and at many of the district 
meets as many as three thousand were 
in attendance. 

The lessons taught by the meets were 
many and varied. It was demonstrated 
that such contests are athletic rather 
than social. The function of the set- 
tlement, the library, the club and the 
school was to interest the boy in en- 
rolling and in bringing home to him 
the worth of competition as demon- 
strating his athletic training; and so 
far as these organizations contributed, 
the work was of a social nature, but 
it was soon shown that they had very 
little influence in inducing boys to com- 
pete who were not athletically inclined. 
It was expected by the Boys' Games 
Committee that the large number of 



THE BOYS' GAMES OF 1909 



2-"i 



prizes offered and the plan of holding 
meets in so many different districts, 
would bring- out a large number of boys 
with athletic ambitions, but without 
any great previous training. The idea 
was not to produce star athletes, but 
to bring out the qualities in each 
individual which would make him 
stronger physically and morally. The 
meets did, however, bring out many 
boys of considerable athletic attainment, 
and the presence of the instructors on 
the grounds led them to train under 
conditions that were strictly amateur, 
rather than to go to hotels and summer 
resorts where they would undoubtedly 
have played and competed under semi- 
. professional conditions. 

Another feature that was made clear 
was that the whole playground situa- 
tion involves at least three or four de- 
partments of the city of Boston, and 
that up to the time of these games there 
was a great lack of co-operation. Each 
department held itself responsible only for 
that part of the playground work which 
was directly under it and showed great 
disinclination to do anything that would 
aid any of the other inter-dependent 
departments. This may have been be- 
cause of a lack of understanding of the 
situation brought about by the short time 
within which the plan was projected and 
evolved, but to the committee it seemed 
as if the hesitancy of one department to 
co-operate with another was the result 
of methods of administration rather than 
of individual bias. It has been found 
that the co-operation of all athletic 
clubs and associations should be sought 
and fostered not only for the assistance 
that they can give, but because the char- 



acter of the work done at these meets 
is an incentive to a higher grade of 
morality in ath'etlcs. 

The care taken by the Boston Play- 
ground Association in protecting the 
amateur standing o contestants through 
the New England Association of the 
Amateur Athletic League has been many 
times highly commended by athletes 
and by the boys themselves when they 
came to understand what it meant to 
them in their future careers. The meets 
were of great importance to organiza- 
tions working with boys through the 
summer, for this is a trying period for 
all who have at heart the welfare of the 
city boy. It is the testimony of settle- 
ments, boys' clubs and parents that 
many boys were kept out of mischief 
and temptation, not only during the 
time spent at the meets and in training, 
but through the interest aroused in 
holding such a series of games. Thou- 
sands of boys who did not compete 
talked about the meets for weeks, and 
followed the records of those whom they 
knew. 

The committee not only believes that 
what was gained last summer should 
be conserved by the repetition of the 
games during the coming summer, but 
it also believes that a much more ex- 
tensive work should develop. There 
is no reason why, with proper support 
all the year round, effective work should 
not be done. Winter sports lend them- 
selves very strongly to the interest of 
boys, and with thorough co-operation 
of all existing agencies a mighty force 
can be put in motion to upbuild the 
physical and moral strength of the 
youth of Boston. 




■PIIE CORN FLEET 



The Springfield Idea for Independence Day 



WILLIAM ORR 



After seven years' experience and ex- 
periment, Springfield has established 
certain aims and methods for the cele- 
bration of July Fourth that are attracting 
widespread attention, and stinuilating 
many other cities to follow the example 
of this New England community. 

In a wholesome reaction from the sense- 
less din and uproar, the barbarism of 
high power explosives and blank car- 
tridges, representative men of the com- 
munity organized, in 1903, an Inde- 
pendence Day Association to devise, 
plan, and execute a program of whole- 
some, enjoyable and suitable entertain- 
ment for young and old. The intent of 
this committee, since its inception, has 
been so to occupy the minds of the people, 
particularly the boys, that little time 
shall be left for the current abuses of the 
day, and, by a constructive policy, to 
create a desire for a worthy celebration. 
One test of the association's standing is 
the ease with which $3,000 is raised 
yearly by popular subscription; and the 
entire willingness of the city government 
to makeja grant of $500, further attests 



the recognition of the organization liy the 
people. 

While the membership is open to any 
citizen, the work is done through an 
executive board, made up of the chairmen 
of the several committees, and repre- 
sentatives from each ward, and from the 
city government, including the mayor. 
Among the committees are the following: 
finance, illuminations, fireworks, music, 
choral singing, athletic sports, literary 
exercises, children's games, water sports, 
pageants, civic and military parade. 

An outline of the day's program will 
make clear the function of each of these 
committees. The opening feature is a 
parade, usually at nine in the morning. 
Sometimes this is preceded at seven })y 
a procession of "antiques and horribles." 
At the close of the parade, literary exer- 
cises are held at Court Square, the civic 
center, together with choral singing. 
Band concerts arc also given at different 
points of vantage throughout the city. 
Last year a ninnber of pageants, illus- 
trating incidents in local history, were 
presented where the original events oc- 



THE SPRINGFIELD IDEA FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY 



1/ 



curred. In 1908 a balloon ascension 
took place at the close of the literary 
exercises. 

The noon hour was devoted to family 
picnics at Forest Park. A band was 
assigned for this locality. Then came 
athletic sports for boys and young men 
and games for the children. At the same 
time water sports, including canoe, 
motor boat, and rowing contests, together 
with swimming matches and diving ex- 
hibitions were in progress on the Con- 
necticut River, at Pecousic. In the 
evening there was a general illumina- 
tion of Court Square, with fireworks, 
under the control of the Independence 
Day Association, while neighborhood 
celebrations of the same nature were 
given at three or four local centers. 

Some description in detail will help to 
make the Springfield policy and method 
clearer. The parade of 1908 contained 
three especially significant features. A 
boys' batallion, one thousand strong, 
known as the Independence Day Volun- 
teers, constituted an excellent way with 
which to satisfy the boy's desire for ex- 
citement, and to divert his attention 
from the blank cartridge and the cannon 
cracker. Next in order came a series of 
floats, made up by grammar school 
children, and illustrating such scenes as 
Washington crossing the Delaware, the 
signing of the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, and Puritan maidens. Most sig- 
nificant of all, was the third feature — the 
parade of nations, in which thirteen dif- 
ferent nationalities, represented in the 
population of Springfield, took part. 
Each race made up a float based on some 
event in its history. The enthusiasm, 
ingenuity, industry and good taste shown 
in this portion of the procession won high 
commendation. The Viking ship, with 
Leif Ericsson, true in historical detail, 
was the contribution of the Swedes. 
The English represented Magna Charta. 
The Scots showed Queen Mary in her 



court, with attendant maidens, high- 
landers and pipers. The Irish took as 
their theme Columbkille, pleading for 
the bards before the monarch of all 
Ireland. A thoroughly typical float was 
that of the Italians — a symbolic presen- 
tation of the greatness of Italy, with im- 
personations of Marconi, Verdi, Galileo 
and Columbus. Negro veterans of the 
Civil War showed the assault on Battery 
Wagner. These illustrations will serve 
to show in some measure the richness 
and variety of this pageant. A large 
part of the value gained from this feature 
of the July Fourth celebration has been 
an increased interest on the part of the 
new elements of the city's population in 
civic affairs. 

Last year the chief parade represented 
the principal industries and business 
activities of the city. Manufacturers, 
merchants, trades unions and employers 
of labor joined heartily in this enterprise. 
The result of these united efforts was a 
line of march three miles long. Many of 
the floats were of notable beauty. Others 
were of great educational value, as they 
showed the evolution of special trades, 
and the application of science to industry. 

Another means of interesting immi- 
grants was tried last year with great 
success, at a public meeting held on 
Sunday evening, the day before the 
celebration. Special efforts were made 
to secure the presence of representa- 
tives of the foreign-born elements of 
Springfield. Blocks of fifty to one hun- 
dred tickets were distributed among 
the leaders of Armenians, Germans, 
Hebrews, Russians, Italians, and other 
people, and these men were asked to see 
that the tickets were so distributed as 
to make sure of a good attendance from 
their followers. The result was a gather- 
ing, probably as cosmopolitan as any ever 
assembled in Springfield. The audience 
followed with rapt attention the national 
music rendered bv a large orchestra, the 




THERE IT GOES' 




THE LANDING OF THE CORN FLEET 



THE SPRINGFIELD IDEA FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY 



29 



foik songs and lyrics, given by a chorus 
of two hundred voices, and a masterly 
oration by Hon. John D. Long on the 
Real Significance of the American Revo- 
lution. An interesting episode was the 
spontaneous expression of patriotism by 
the audience in rising when the orchestra, 
in its opening selection, played strains of 
the Star Spangled Banner. 

Another means of expressing senti- 
ment employed by the Springfield asso- 
ciation is choral singing in the open air. 
The arrangements are as follows: — A 
platform is erected to accommodate the 
director, a chorus of five or six hundred, 
and a large band to accompany the sing- 
ing. Pamphlets, containing words and 
music, are circulated amongst the people. 
The selections are patriotic songs of this 
and other lands, and hymns of universal 
appeal. It has been found desirable to 
ask churches, schools, and fraternal orders 
to familiarize themselves with the selec- 
tions. Entirely satisfactory results have 
been obtained. 

Each year, Springfield, through her 
Independence Day Association, has been 



able to perfect the program for July 
Fourth, to vary the nature of the events, 
and to enlist new elements of her popu- 
lation in the enterprise. Gradually, pub- 
lic opinion has been formed in opposition 
to the indiscriminate and careless use of 
fireworks and explosives, so that now 
sharply restrictive legislation has been 
enacted by the City Council, backed by 
popular sentiment. There is every reason 
to hope for a radical reform of the evils 
of the ordinary mode of celebration. 

But the Springfield idea has done more 
than lead to the elimination of abuses; 
it has had constructive value; commu- 
nity spirit has been strengthened; new 
elements have been brought into vital 
relation with civic activities; lessons of 
the broadest patriotism have been taught 
in most effective fashion, and pride in 
the city has been stimulated. People 
are learning how really to enjoy a holiday. 
Out of all this is coming a better, cleaner, 
more beautiful city, impenetrated with 
the true spirit of democracy and human- 
ity. Such are, indeed, the fitting fruits of 
Independence Day. 




30 NEW BOSTON 

(Prepared under the Direction of the Boston — iQis Saner Fourth Committee) 



OUR 



ANNUAL SACRIFICE 



...FACTS- 



LOSS of life from lockjaw from . 1903-1909, 6 years 901 cases 

Seventy-five per cent, resulted from blank cartridge wounds 

Loss of life from Other Fourth of July causes " 630 " 

Total, 1,531 

Loss of sight from Fourth of July injuries, total, 115 cases 

" one eye " " " " " 518 " 

" legs, arms, or hands " " " " " 406 " 

" fingers, one or more " " " " " 1,427 " 

Other injuries " 30,606 " 

Total, non-fatal injuries " 33,073 " 

Total, dead or injured " 34,603 " 

Blank cartridges as causes of above injuries total, 6,374 cases 

Fire crackers " " " " " 10,781 " 

Cannon crackers " " " " " 2,880 " 

Firearms " " " " " 2,902 " 

Powder and fireworks " " " " " 10,540 " 

Number Reported Killed and Injured on Fourth of July 
in our Largest Cities In Three Years. 

1907 1908 1909 Totals 

City. Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. 

New York 22 422 11 316 7 559 40 1,297 

Chicago 16 151 12 202 - 118 28 471 

Philadelphia, Pa. 7 248 6 426 9 508 22 1,182 

Boston 3 59 6 190 5 167 14 416 

Newark, N. J. 1 129 2 81 1 150 4 360 

Kansas City, Mo. 1 46 - 55 4 67 5 168 

Fall River - - - 12 - 19 - 31 

Worcester, Mass. 16 2 20 1 42 4 68 

Trenton, N. J. - 38 117 1 58 2 113 

Lawrence, Mass. -11 1- 5 22 6 33 

Manchester, N. H. - 3 - 1 1 5 1 9 



A SANER FOURTH FOR BOSTON 



At the third annual congress of the tlie Fourth of July can be made "sane" 

Playground Association of America, held and at the same time successful. A 

in Pittsburg in May, 1900, reports from "sane fourth" became the reason for a 

nineteen cities and towns showed that special meeting at that congress, and 



A SANER FOURTH FOR BOSTON 31 

CausesofDeathasidetromTetanus(lockiaw)in Five Years 
As Result of Patriotic (?) Celebrations. 



Gunshot. 


Fire from 
Fireworks. 


Powder 

Torpedoes, 

Etc. 


Giant 

Crackers. 


Ca 


nnon. 


Other 
Causes. 


Tota 


37 


23 


6 


5 




7 


17 


95 


38 


18 


18 


3 




3 


3 


83 


20 


31 


13 


13 




3 


22 


102 


30 


22 


19 


23 




7 


7 


108 


17 


37 


16 


7 




7 


6 


90 



Year. 

1905 
1905 
1907 
1908 
1909 



76 cases of lockjaw in United States in 1908. 

150 cases of lockjaw in United States in 1909. 

Blank cartridges caused 130 out of 150 (86.5%) cases of lockjaw in United States, 1909. 

Out of 150 cases of lockjaw, 125 or 84% fatal. 



CAUSES OF TETANUS (Lockjaw) CASES 



Year. 

1903 
1904 
1905 
1906 
1907 
1908 
1909 



Blank 
Cartridge. 


Giant 
Crackers. 


Cannon. 


Firearms. 


Powder, etc. 


Total 


363 


17 


5 


3 


27 


415 


74 


18 


5 


1 


7 


105 


65 


17 


4 


5 


13 


104 


54 


17 


1 


7 


10 


89 


52 


8 


6 


4 


3 


73 


58 


5 


4 


3 


6 


76 


130 


9 


1 


4 


6 


150 



DISTRIBUTION OF NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS THIS YEAR 

New York 559 

Philadelphia 508 

Boston ...... 167 

St. Louis 163 

Newark . . . . . . 150 

Chicago . . . . . . 118 

New York City is SEVEN times the size of Boston and 
yet it has only THREE Times as many injuries. 



representatives of forty municipalities general interest aroused, there ought to 



came together to discuss rational methods 
of celebrating Independence Day. 

This year the idea has spread far be- 
yond the nineteen cities that reported 



be a big drop in the black death curve 
of "patriotism" which for years has 
been mounting up and up. 

In August, 1909, Boston-1915 ap- 



progress a year ago. In fact, from the pointed a Saner Fourth Committee, under 



32 



NEW BOSTON 



NOTABLE AHERICAN BATTLES For a REAL PATRIOTIC PURPOSE 





Year. 


Killed 


Injured 


Total 


Lexington . 


1775 


122 


215 


335 


Bunker Hill 


1775 


341 


1,133 


1,474 


Vorktown .... 


1781 


75 


199 


274 


Chesapeake .and Shannon 


1813 


68 


190 


258 


Alabama, Kearsarge . 


1862 


9 


24 


33 



(Compare with these Results of So-called "Patriotism" for ONE Day) 

Year Killed Injured Total 

Fourth of July for U. S. A. . . 1909 47 1,575 1,622 



INDEPENDENCE 


DAY 


TABLE 


FROM " 


SAFE AND SANE" 




CITIES 






1909 


1908 


Cleveland, 

Fitchburg, 

Pawtucket, 

Washington, 

Milwaukee, 


Dead 







Hurt 


3 


22 


Dead Hurt 

J2 
25 

10 
3 27 

1 67 


Springfield, 








Before 
Modified plan 

1892 

25 


Toledo, 








1903 

25 


Saratoga, 
Totals, 








1899 

unobtainable 





25 


24 J 79 



GREATER BOSTON'S 


HOLI- 


DAY VICTIMS 


IN 


SIX 




YEARS 






1909 

Killed . . 


July 4 

4 


June 1 



7 Total 
4 


Injured . . 


146 


(26 


272 


1908 

Killed . . 


5 





5 


Injured . 


117 


93 


210 


1907 

Killed . . 


4 





4 


Injured . . 


130 


n 


221 


1906 

Killed . . 


1 





1 


Injured . 


154 


76 


230 


1905 

Killed . . 


2 





2 


Injured . . 


125 


64 


189 


1904 

Killed . . 











Injured . . 


178 


450 


628 


Total 








6 years 
Killed . . 


16 





16 


Injured . 


850 


900 


1750 



Fires in Boston for the 24 hours of July 4, 1909, 43, occuring at the rate of one fire 
every 33 minutes: each fire caused an average loss of $141.49 and a total of over $6,100.00 

In the United States the total damage caused by fires on July 4, 1909, as a result of 
so-called patriotic celebration was $446,500.00. 



the chairmanship of Dr. D. D. Scannell. 
The other members of that committee are : 
Frank S. Mason, Charles M. Cox, Phihp 
Davis, Mitchell Freiman and Herbert 
S. Underwood. The committee has been 
busy since its appointment, arousing 



public sentiment to the dangers of old- 
fashioned Fourths; and if personal work 
with parents and teachers and improve- 
ment associations — advising, warning and 
"scaring" — goes for anything, then Bos- 
ton's 1910 Fourth of July will be an all 



A SANER FOURTH FOR BOSTON 



33 



(B 






HE average firecracker fuse takes something less than ten seconds to burn. 
This varies very much, some burning very quickly and some very slowly. 
Now we should consider it a very narrow margin if we escaped being struck 
by a railroad train by ten seconds, but yet we are not alarmed when it comes 
to permitting our children to have voluntarily this escape hundreds of timesin one day by 
matching the speed of their arms and quickness of their eye against a ten second fire 
cracker fuse. 

ALL THESE FACTS AND STATISTICS ARE 
ABSOLUTE AND UNDENIABLE 



Are YOU willing to sacrifice YOUR cliild for a so-called patriotic method 
of celebration. 

Is this method of celebration really worth while? 
YOUR child may be the next!! 

Don't wait to become a reformer until YOUR child is blind or crippled 
or dead? 

What do YOU mean to do about it? 



round success — yes, even for the small 
boy. 

As a result of the committee's work, 
another committee of 150 has been 
appointed by Boston-1915, with Mayor 
Fitzgerald's approval, to co-operate with 
the city government in planning for 
a new sort of a celebration for next July. 
The municipality has set aside $10,000 
for this purpose, and the citizens of 
Boston will in all probability be asked 
to contribute personally to the fund. 

On the morning of July 4, there will 
be a costume parade depicting his- 



torical events by means of floats, etc. 
While the energies of the larger boys 
are being used in the big parade, smaller 
pageants will be held in different parts 
of the city for smaller boys. At noon 
there will be the customary oration at 
Faneuil Hall, followed by a choral 
festival, probably on the Common. 
Athletic contests on a larger scale than 
usual will be held in the afternoon and 
in the evening it is hoped to trans- 
fer the usual fireworks display from 
the Common to the Charles River 
Basin. 



34 



NEW BOSTON 



The foundation work of the Saner 
Fourth Committee lay with the parents' 
associations. Every such organization in 
the city has been addressed either by 
Dr. Scannell or by one of the surgeons 
assisting him in this work. The dangers 
arising from the use of blank cartridges 
have been outlined, and the horrors 
of tetanus have been described in 
detail. Every parent was given a pam- 
phlet, entitled Our Annual Sacrifice. 
That pamphlet was prepared by Dr. 
Scannell and is reproduced in connec- 
tion with this article. In the same way 
the improvement associations and the 



men teachers were approached. On 
April 17th Dr. Scannell addressed the 
members of the Central Labor Union and 
on the first Monday in May the women 
school teachers of the city will hear 
a surgeon's argument for a rational 
celebration. This whole idea of gett ng 
at public sentiment has been worked 
out in a most thorough manner. Par- 
ents and teachers throughout the city 
have heard the story of "our annual 
sacrifice" and now the committee of 
150 with its definite program for the 
new celebration can go ahead with every 
assurance of public backing. 



A SPEAKERS' BUREAU ON PUBLICITY 



Board of Trade, merchant's associa- 
tions, church clubs, improvement so- 
cieties, trade associations, advertising 
clubs and civic bodies of every sort, are 
invited to make use of the Speakers' 
Bureau of the Pilgrim Publicity Associa- 
tion which offers to send speakers to 
any organization wishing information 
about modern publicity methods, scien- 
tific advertising, or the development 
of plans for the advancement of any 
worthy interest. 

A list follows of members of the P. P. A. 
Speakers' Bureau, with the subjects on 
which they are prepared to give formal 
addresses. The committee in charge are 
George B. Gallup, chairman (address 
Hemenway Chambers, Boston); George 
W. Coleman and Charles E. Bellatty. 

A letter requesting a speaker, if sent 
to the chairman a few days in advance 
of the date of a meeting, will be sufficient. 
If the speaker desired cannot accept, 
another will be provided. Topics not 
assigned in the following list will be con- 
sidered, and if possible, a speaker secured 
who can discuss the subject adequately. 



No charge will be made except for actual 
expenses of the speaker. 

James T. Wetherald, Adequate Appropriations. 

Carroll J. Swan, Great New England Successes. 

J. D. Adams, Industrial Assets. 

George W. Coleman, Building the New Spirit. 

Egerton Chichester, Practical Persistency. 

Carroll Westall, Formulating Faith. 

S. R. Latshaw, Advertising Textiles. 

H. B. Humphrey, Uniting New England. 

J. W. Barber, Historical Climaxes. 

H. P. Dowst, Making Waste Places Bloom. 

George French, Advertising. 

Tilton S. Bell, Making Knockers Boosters. 

W. H. McLauthlin, Basing Campaigns on Facts. 

A. B. Harlow, Getting your Message to Millions. 

D. N. Graves, The Power of the Printed Word. 

E. J. Goulston, The Good of Good Advertising. 
George B. Gallup, The Model City. 

D. J. MacNichol, Digging Out the Proposition. 

James G. Berrien, Human Interest Copy. 

R. B. Kingman, The Aesthetics of Advertising. 

S. C. Stevens, Achievements of the West. 

A. W. Ellis, Getting Down to Bedrock. 

Howard Dickinson, Advertising as an Economic 
Factor. 

P. J. Evans, Opportunities for the Agriculturist. 

Perry Walton, Advertising Financial Institutions. 

Walter L. Weeden, Teaching Advertising to Trade 
Schools. 

M. V. Putnam, Developing Loyalty. 

Charles R. Woodward, Keeping the Veterans in 
Line. 

Charles E. Bellatty, Obtaining Publicity for Com- 
mercial Associations. 

11. Wesley Curtis, Pushing Beginners Across the 
Hudson. 

R. M. Purves, Team Work. 



CIVIC NERVE CENTERS 



The United Improvement Association 
and its sixteen affiliated bodies have an 
important part to play in the future of 
Boston. The discovery finally has been 
made that civic reform is not adequately 
accomplished by spasmodic agitations 
and revolutionary action at the polls or 
through legislative bodies. On the other 
hand, such changes are brought about by 
the awakening of a majority force in the 
community to an appreciation of the 
duties and responsibilities of citizenship 
and by processes of evolution, creating a 
public sentiment for that which is honest 
and good and progressive — that which 
will command representative govern- 
ment. 

Corrupt, inefficient city government 
has resulted from default by citizens, 
rather than from usurpation by poli- 
ticians. The system of government is 
representative, actually as well as nomi- 
nally. Ordinarily it represents neglect 
and indifference on the part of the 
citizens. Wherever there is actual re- 
form it represents an aroused interest and 
attention to civic duty. 

The United Improvement Association 
and its affiliated bodies are the nerve 
centers which may, if they will, keep the 
various parts of the civic body keyed up 
to full appreciation of duty in regard to 
municipal affairs and community inter- 
ests. The recent perambulation of the 
Mayor and City Council has been treated 
in many quarters as a joke. It deserves 
to be taken seriously. With the co- 
operation of the various improvement 
associations and such other groupings of 
community interests as may be formed, 
it is possible to develop this plan into a 
most important factor in efficiency. But 
the periodical visits of the future, whether 



by the full l)ody or by delegated members, 
will afford opportunity for inquiry into 
and discussion of municipal policies in 
general, and for the direct presentation 
of community sentiment and opinion to 
the city government. If the real imjjort 
of such a program is grasped, it will 
create an awakened and interested citi- 
zenship and a responsive city government 
as well. And if the city government and 
the citizenship come into such immediate 
touch, there will be less call for innova- 
tions like the initiative and referendinn 
and more faith in the efficacy of repre- 
sentative government. 

There is in this co-operation with the 
experimental plan of the present city 
government a distinct work for the im- 
provement associations. They are the 
beginnings of a movement which ulti- 
mately should gain formal recognition 
from the municijiality to the extent that 
civic sub-centers will be established and 
maintained as headquarters for all com- 
munity interests and as distributing 
points for information concerning the 
doings of the Mayor, City Council and 
the administrati^'e departments. There 
is no better means of securing good 
municipal government than an interested 
citizenship, and there is no better agency 
for securing a;i interested citizenship 
than these local associations, operating 
from community civic centers. In the 
fulfillment of such a plan there is to be 
gained all the atlvantages of ward repre- 
sentation without its evils, all the i)o\ver 
that is contemplated in the initiative and 
referendum without sacrificing the prin- 
ciple of representative government, the 
real kind of nnniicipal reform starting 
with the electorate, direct contact with 
the government and a constant, instead 



35 



36 



NEW BOSTON 



of a spasmodic, generation of healthy 
piibHc sentiment. 

Real reform in the political life of 
Boston will be better achieved through 
such an agency as this than through 
occasional "reform" movements, how- 
ever skillfully engineered. Commercial 
and industrial development, dependent 
largely on the tone of legislation and 
administrative policy, will look to these 



associations as their strongest backer in 
the creation of a healthy public senti- 
ment. The aesthetic, educational and 
moral interests of the community will 
find in these generators of public opinion 
their strongest allies. These are among 
the most powerful "uplift" agencies in 
the community, because they furnish 
the opportunity for the many, rather 
than for the few, to do the lifting. 



THE EXPOSITION IN 1915 



Since the time of the Columbian Ex- 
position in Chicago, world's fairs and 
city fairs of the ordinary variety have 
become almost as well known as the 
county fair "back home." Formal ex- 
hibits, temporary buildings and flashy 
mid-ways have afforded much pleasure 
as well as many empty treasuries. From 
the beginning, Boston-1915 has had a 
different sort of an exposition in mind, 
not an ordinary fair but a graphic dis- 
play of a living, working city, a display 
of Boston as a going concern. That, in 
a word, is the plan for the exposition 
to be held in 1915, and with that plan in 
mind every organization in Boston, work- 
ing through the Boston-1915 group 
conferences, is asked to outline work 
which it wishes to see brought to com- 
pletion, or to a fair stage of completion, 
five years from now. 

It is proposed to have a central ex- 
hibition in one of the largest halls in 
the city where will be "live" exhibits 
of the business, social, civic, educa- 
tional, religious and industrial activities 
of Boston, together with charts, moving 
pictures and other graphic representa- 
tions. From this central exhibition 
building special parties will be con- 
ducted on sight-seeing trips to points 



of special interest to those particular 
groups. For instance, there will be a 
business itinerary, another trip cover- 
ing educational work, a third the parks, 
etc. In this way Boston will have an 
opportunity to show its advantages as 
a place in which to live and work. The 
best things that the city has developed 
by public spirit and private enterprise 
will be opened for inspection, the park 
system, the public buildings, the trans- 
portation facilities, the manufacturing 
and other commercial establishments, 
the multitude of agencies for alleviating 
suffering and correcting evil, the measures 
for the protection of health, life and prop- 
erty, the housing of the people, their 
education, and the opportunities of their 
civic, social and religious life. 

All the places to be shown will be on 
"dress parade" throughout the exposi- 
tion, or for so long a time as it may seem 
desirable to exhibit them, and at the 
special times covered by the itineraries 
everything will be in full operation. 

It is hoped that the art building for 
the exposition may be the Museum of 
Fine Arts, showing not only its ordinary 
possessions but also preparing for a 
series of important loan exhibitions, 
and that Symphony Hall or the Mechan- 



SCHOOL HELP IN CHOOSING A CAREER 



37 



ics' Hall may be used for the music build- 
ing, with a series of special performances 
of opera, oratorio and symphonies. 

In connection with the central ex- 
hibits there will probably be a large con- 
vention hall, and steps will be taken 
to bring to Boston as many as possible 
of the great associations dealing with 
education, economics, philanthropy, etc. 

The midway features — the part of 
every exposition that draws the crowds — 
will not be neglected, but in place of 
the usual Indian villages and infant 
incubators there will be historical and 
industrial pageants, musical features, 
water carnivals on the harbor and 



Charles River Basin, carefully organized 
sight-seeing historical tours, aeroplane 
trials, Olympian games, etc. The ad- 
vantages of the whole scheme, both to 
the exhibitor and to the visitor, are 
obvious. Actualities, and not idealized 
"shows," will be displayed, machinery 
in its every-day surroundings, men and 
women at their every-day occupations, 
arrangements of plants for commercial 
efficiency and not for display. These 
working exhibits of civic, philanthropic 
and religious organizations, public ser- 
vice companies and state and city govern- 
ments, will make possible a most interest- 
ing and instructive exposition. 



SCHOOL HELP IN CHOOSING A CAREER 



MEYER BLOOMFIELD 

Acting Director of the Vocation Bureau 



A few simple principles that appeal 
to the common sense of the average 
person are at the bottom of the Vocation 
Bureau movement. That "ologies" and 
"isms" are associated with it in the minds 
of some is not the fault of the friends of 
this work. No one doubts that the 
choosing of one's life work is a serious 
matter, and no one who realizes how com- 
plicated conditions are today can doubt 
that such choosing is no easy matter. 
Indeed it is so difficult that there is 
little of what may fairly be called choice. 
Tens of thousands do not choose; they 
are "pitchforked into the working world," 
as Charles Booth has said. 

Now the obvious duty before those 
who care for the future of our school 
children is so to prepare them as to 
make choice possible, informed and 
intelligent. This requires an organiza- 
tion somewhere that shall study the 
conditions of employment, its oppor- 



tunities, demands, drawbacks and ad- 
vantages. Such information is not easy 
to secure accurately and fully, and when 
secured it must be analyzed, simplified 
and applied with sense. 

The school teacher is a natural coun- 
sellor of the child. Our public schools 
send thousands into useful careers and 
many a man and woman looks back 
with gratitude to the light and inspir- 
ation that came to them from the teacher. 
The teachers, however, are very busy 
with their professional work, which 
does not cease with the close of school. 
There is great pressure upon their time 
and energies to keep up with the heavy 
requirements of their profession. It is 
no criticism of them that so many 
young people go out into working life 
blind as to the meaning of it all. 

The situation simply shows that other 
agencies must supplement the teacher's 
influence and help equip the teacher 



38 



NEW BOSTON 



with that highly specialized iiiforination 
which vocational assistance calls for. 
So equipped, the teacher who is con- 
tinually consulted by parent and child, 
will be in a position to answer questions 
about vocations, and with his or her 
intimate knowledge of the mental and 
physical make-up of the child can warn, 
advise and co-operate toward making 
a decision concerning that particular 
child's career. 

It is highly encouraging to find the 
busy school teachers of Boston ready 
and eager to take up the work of pre- 
paring for such wise and practical 
counselling. The School Committee, Sup- 
erintendent Brooks, the School Vocation 
Committee, and many masters, sub- 
masters and teachers have taken steps 
to bring about an organization next 
fall for the study and practice of voca- 
tional help. Superintendent Maxwell 
has recommended to the New York 
Board of Education the establishment of 
a school vocation bureau. Other cities 
have started vocational courses, but 
no city has yet gone so far as Boston in 
working out a comprehensive plan. 

The object of the Vocation Bureau, 
which has its office at 101 Tremont 
street, is to co-ordinate the various 
agencies that are actively and efficiently 
interested in this movement. The Bur- 
eau itself expects to supply the teacher, 
counsellors and others who are inter- 
ested with information about the vo- 
cations and with suggestions as to 
methods, literature, and needed things 
for the carrying on of the work. 

The organizations working with the 
Vocation Bureau are the School Voca- 
tion Connnittee, representing the school 



system (this affiliation was effected 
through Boston 191.5), the Girls' Trade 
Education League, the Women's Muni- 
cipal League, and the Home and School 
Association. When the plans of those 
interested in this movement are under 
way, and some time must elapse before 
results show, we may expect to see 
lessened the vast evil of mis-employ- 
ment, an evil quite comparable with 
that of imemployment. 

Commerce and industry will materially 
benefit by this work which emphasizes 
fitness on the part of those who seek a 
livelihood. The employer will find in- 
telligent purpose on the part of those 
who have really chosen, and purpose 
means steadiness and progressive effi- 
ciency. Young people will waste less 
of their precious youth in knocking 
about from job to job, because of failure 
to learn where their capacities promise 
the largest scope. The present day 
chaos of job-seeking and job-jumping 
makes vocational hoboes of many thou- 
sands. The professions will be less 
overcrowded by those whose talents lie 
in other and equally honorable direc- 
tions, but whose ambitions and energies 
were unguided at the critical moment, 
and school life itself will be enriched by 
its contact with the world of work, a 
contact that should prove educational 
to both sides. 

Help in choosing life-work is not 
new, but what is new is the growing 
number of those who are determined 
that our future workers shall have a 
chance to grow into their life calling 
intelligently, that the laborer shall be 
worthy of his hire and that his task 
shall not be unworthy of his possibilities. 




FRANK O. CARPENTER 

Master Dcpartiiiont of Commerce, English High School, Boston 



Much has been written during the 
past year in magazines and newspapers 
of the English "Boy Scouts" and the 
valuable effect upon those who take 
part in the field exercises and other 
duties. In America these benefits are 
largely obtained by the military drill 
in the schools as through the Boston 
School Cadets. But the English scout 
movement is of value, chiefly, in teach- 
ing the arts of war, which is not very 
likely to occur. 

The City Guard organized in Boston, 
is the American scout movement for 
the boys and the girls also, based on a 
totally different idea, with a nobler 
motive and a more practical applica- 
tion. The members are the "scouts 
of peace " and their work is directed 
toward making life more happy and en- 
durable for people in everyday life and 
work. The object of the guard is to 
"see and report" the things and con- 
ditions that make life in the city unhappy, 
the "things that hurt," and the chances 
to improve them in the "things that 
help" or ways by which life in the city 
may be made easier. The duty of the 
guard is first of all to get information 
of conditions. 

In Boston, perhaps more than in any 
other city, there are many social ac- 
tivities organized to deal with all kinds 
of evil conditions. One thing only is 



lacking — an organized body to get the 
information in a regular, constant, and 
systematic waj^ upon which all these 
societies shall do the work for which 
they exist; to establish as it were, a 
clearing house of information from which 
reports shall be sent to the proper de- 
])artment or society in order that dupli- 
cation of effort and waste of force may 
be saved and successful results more 
quickly obtained. To do this work is 
the duty of the City Guard. The re- 
ports are sent to the central committee 
who classify them and report them 
weekly, or in important cases at once, 
to the society best fitted to correct the 
evil reported. One of the card'nal rules 
is this: "The City Guard fights con- 
ditions, not men. It seeks to remedy 
evils, not to punish men for doing them," 
and it welcomes the assistance of all 
citizens in doing the needed work. 
The evils, corruption, graft and bad 
government in our American cities are 
due almost entirely to the fact that 
our citizens are ignorant of conditions, 
and so helplessly let them go on un- 
checked. The only way to correct this 
state of affairs is to train citizens when 
young to understand conditions. The 
guard believes that if boys from fifteen 
to twenty-one are taught and required 
to see the things that are wrong, especi- 
ally in the localities where they live, to 



39 



NEW BOSTON 




THE FLAG OF THE GUARD 



learn how those things come to be and 
why they are not promptly corrected; 
if they are taught to beheve that they 
are "citizens now, voters by and by" and 
that it is their duty to act as citizens all 
the time, they will come to manhood 
wideawake, keen-eyed to discover wrong- 
doing in city affairs, and strong to de- 
mand that all city problems be made 
public. 

Not the evil side only will they learn, 
but the good and constructive work 
as well. The founders of the guard be- 
lieve most earnestly that the exercise of 
these duties will make the youth of the 
city more contented workmen, better 
men, and nobler and more useful citizens. 

Two of the mottoes of the guard 
emphasize this idea — "Office is Service," 
and "There is Nothing to Get, There 
is Something to Do." 

The various details necessary for 
accual woik have been prepared, but 
space does not permit printing them. 
A few, however, are of special interest. 



The rallying cry or cheer is: 
"Rally— O, City Guard, Rally— O, 

City Guard, Rally — O, City Guard, 

Rally— 0—0. 

The colors are Blue and Buff, the old 
Continental colors. The flag is repro- 
duced in connection with this article. 
The circle with a dot in it is a symbolic eye 
that is always sleepless and vigilant. 
The Stars and Stripes are always to be 
used at all meetings with the colors of 
the guard. 

The button pin is in the guard colors, 
and is designed from an old Aztec battle 
shield centuries old. A simple but in- 
spiring ritual is prepared for use at the 
meetings of the divisions. The mili- 
tary program is used to keep up the 
interest. 

A march song, with a catchy, popular 
new melody, has been written and is on 
sale at the music stores Its title is 
Nineteen Hundred and Now. The words 
of the song contain, crystallized, the 
idea and work of the organization: 



PROGRESS OF SAVINGS BANK INSURANCE 



41 



"We watch for the evils in city and 

street, look hard, look hard. 
We're scouts of the people that never 
retreat, on guard, on guard. 

For the things that hurt, and the 

acts that pain. 
The words that tempt, and the 

deeds that stain. 
That the city may come to her own 
again. 
What, ho there, ho there, make way for 
the City Guard! 

"We fight for the city we hope to see, 
strike hard, strike hard. 
We watch for the future that is to be! 
on guard, on guard. 

For a city that's happy and clean 

all through. 
We pray for us all, but we fight 

for you, 
There is nothing to get, there is 
something to do, 
What, ho there, ho there, make way for 
the City Guard!" 



The City Guard was founded in May, 
1909, at the English High School, Bos- 
ton, by the writer. The first division 
was formed by boys of that school. A 
number of divisions are organized and 
others are forming in different parts of the 
city. The guard is not for the schools 
only, but for citizens everywhere. By 
the courtesy of Robert A. Woods, 
the organization has its headquarters 
for a time at number 171 West Brook- 
line street, a branch of the South End 
House. Inquiries may be made there. 

Work is not to be confined to Boston. 
New York and Philadelphia will soon 
install divisions. The late Charles 
Sprague Smith of the Peoples' Institute 
was to take charge of the work in New 
York. Chicago has already sent for 
copies of the plan. And as the work 
to be done is needed in every city it is 
probable that within the next year 
many of the large cities of the country 
will have formed divisions of the army 
of the City Guard. 



PROGRESS OF SAVINGS BANK INSURANCE 



HARRY W. KIMBALL 



Plank sixteen of Boston-1915 declares 
that one of the objects of the movement 
is "to develop and secure the general 
adoption of a comprehensive system of 
wage earners insurance and old age 
pensions." At the present time savings 
bank insurance furnishes one of the best 
ways in which this plank of Boston-1915 
may become a reality. Therefore, there 
is a most vital relation between the two 
movements, and savings bank insurance 
is one of the efl^ective agencies by which 
Boston-1915 can accomplish one of its 
cherished ends. 

During the first year's operation of 



savings bank insurance, over one million 
dollars of insurance was written and at 
the close of the first year of business, 
despite the fact that the expenses were 
especially heavy because of the medical 
examinations, a dividend of 8 1-3 per 
cent was declared on all policies that 
were issued during the year. One of 
the most encouraging features of the 
movement is the hearty co-operation 
which it has received from leading 
business men and large manufacturing 
concerns. Between sixty and seventy 
firms have become agencies for the in- 
surance department of the savings banks, 



42 



NEW BOSTON 



and in this way have afforded an op- 
por nnity for tlieir employees to take out 
life insurance and old age i)ensions at 
actual cost. 

Under the direction of the Women's 
Educational and Industrial Union a 
study has been made of the interest 
which working women and girls have 
in insurance. It has been discovered 
that the sense of thrift and foresight is 
by no means so well develo])ed in the 
average working woman as in the aver- 
age working man. 

Among the features of this movement 
which are taking shape at the present 
time is the preparation of a standardized 
plan for mutual benefit associations by 
which the death benefits which are usu- 
ally paid by these associations shall be 



paid through the insurance departments 
of the savings banks. Plans are also in 
process by which, through the saving 
banks, some of the large employers 
of labor may inaugurate a system of 
pensions for their employees. The plan 
provides that these pensions shall be 
taken out under the old age annuity 
policies of the savings banks, while the 
employer agrees to pay a certain pro- 
portionate part of the premium. 

Savings bank trustees throughout the 
commonwealth are showing an increas- 
ing interest in the movement since it 
has behind it a year of successful oper- 
ation. Recently the Cape Ann Savings 
Bank of Gloucester became an agency 
for both the Whitman and Brockton 
banks. 



THE NEW VOTERS' FESTIVAL 



Through the co-operation of Boston- 
1915, the City History Club, Boston 
Social Union, Roxbury League, The 
Catholic Union of Boston, Boston Young 
Men's Christian Association, Boston 
Young Men's Christian Union and the 
Boston Equal Suffrage Association for 
Good Government, the eighth annual 
New Voters Festival was held in Faneuil 
Hall on Sunday, April 3. Over six 
hundred were present, mostly young 
men who have yet to cast their first 
votes, and the majority took the free- 
man's oath, administered by Judge 
Francis C. Lowell. The oath follows: 
'T do solemnly bind myself that I will 
give my vote and suffrage as I shall 
judge in mine own conscience may best 
conduce to the public weal, so help nie, 
God." 

President Eliot presided at the meet- 
ing and advised all new voters to work 
for a more simplified ballot. "Do every- 



thing in your power," he said, "to put 
before the voters on election day a job 
that they can do. At present in almost 
all the American cities and states the 
job given to the voter on election day 
is absolutely impossible of performance 
with judgment, intelligence and dis- 
crimination. 

"Inform yourselves thoroughly about 
every possil)le question likely to come to 
a vote. Study it, and learn what other 
people have thought about it. A very 
important part of suffrage is its edu- 
cational function, enlarging the mind and 
perfecting the conscience of the voter. 

"You ought to devote all the best 
qualities of your heart and the best 
efforts of your life to making better and 
more happy the people among whom 
you live. That's what love does. It 
makes the ])eople with whom you live 
better and hapi)ier." 

Brand Whitlock, mayor of Toledo, 



THE BOSTON CITY CLUB 



43 



said that the growth of partisanship has 
proved a menace to city, state and 
nation. "It is not well for one to be- 
come the slave of anything, least of all 
a political party. A man should by 
his vote represent his own principle and 
not that of some other set of men. We 
hear a lot of talk of lost votes. I do not 
believe that any vote cast is lost, so long 
as it represents the principles of the man 
that casts it, even if it is the only one 
of its kind cast in the United States. No 



free man should be owned by a party." 
The benefits to be derived from affilia- 
tion with a political party were outlined 
by Judge Michael J. Murray, who said 
that every individual ought to be con- 
nected with a party. "The young man 
about to cast his first vote should realize 
that mere honesty is not sufficient for 
the proper performance of his civic 
duty. It is necessary to be practical and 
to co-operate with either one of the two 
great parties in state or national affairs." 



THE BOSTON CITY CLUB 



The membership of the Boston City 
Club has come within twenty of the 
limit of 3,200 set by the Executive Com- 
mittee. There is now a waiting list of 
over 100 names, and approximately 
fifty new" applications are received 
monthly — all going to prove that the 
new Boston idea, the "get together" 
spirit, so well exemplified in every branch 
of the City Club, is really at work. The 
last club Bulletin says that this "new 
spirit is proud of the past, but it is 
unwilling to loaf and bask in the genial 
warmth of its history. To that spirit 
the past is only an incentive and not a 
soporific. Its job is the future, but its 
tool is the present; therefore, to make 
the present fruitful is its main concern. 
It does not believe that a chosen few 
have been called to help the cit3\ What- 
ever of good comes to Boston, it asserts, 
will come because all wish it together 
and intend to have it. All kinds of 
people will go to make the finest Boston. 
No private concern, no ])roprietary tonic 
will do it — nobody's specific or little 
civic pills. Certain new movements and 
the club itself stand for the fundamental 
principle that every man, whatever his 
training, has it in him to be of real 
service to the city and that a gathering 



place for all these varied and even op- 
posing units of service will appeal to 
the people and stimulate the good wished 
for. The Boston City Club, like the 
city itself, can only represent the sum 
total of the individual strength and 
weakness in its composition. It can 
continue to develop into a power house 
of genuine public service — or be the re- 
verse. It is an opportunity, a privilege 
and a challenge to its members." 

During April special lectures and dis- 
cussions were held as follows: 

Under the direction of the Art and 
Library Committee, the evening of April 
5 was devoted to the work of the Boston 
Evening Industrial Schools. An ex- 
hib'tion of the work of the pupils was 
shown on the walls of the Club House. 
Among the speakers were David A. 
Ellis, Joseph Lee, Stratton D. Brooks, 
Maurice J. O'Brien, Frank M. Leavitt, 
and Theodore M. Dillaway. 

John Hays Hannnond spoke on "The 
Business Man in Politics" on April 14, 
M. J. Butler on "Canadian Development" 
on the '■20th and William Lyman Under- 
wood on "Hunting with Canoe and 
Camera in New Brunswick" on the 
evening of the '■28th. 



WHAT OTHERS SAY OF US 



"Boston-1915" is the name of a widespread 
scheme of development which for several months 
has been urged upon the people of Boston by an 
earnest and progressive element. It aims at many 
things, all tending to make Boston a better place 
to live in and to do business in. The movement 
has "caught on." Every element of the Boston 
community, from the governor in the State House 
to children in the primary schools, has joined in 
it and great things are expected through it. 

There are those who would like to see in San 
Francisco a movement in imitation of "Boston- 
1915"; and the date comes with special significance, 
because in 1915 we are to have here a great ex- 
position. The suggestion is a good one, and '..ith 
leadership and organization it may be transmuted 
into reality. But leadership and organization are 
absolutely essential; nothing in a public way comes 
without the aid of these forces. No suggestion 
was ever so good or so practicable as to carry itself 
by its own momentum. 

— San Francisco, Cal., Argonaut. 



"One of the most interesting of modern experi- 
ments in municipal betterment is the 'Boston-1915 
movement, which plans for certain far-reaching 
improvements which it is hoped to accomplish 

during the next five years Into this 

great work some of the best men of Boston are 
putting their best efforts. The movement will 
be watched with keen interest because Boston's 
success will mean much, directly and indirectly, 
for the betterment of all New England. That 
means that its success will benefit Vermont. Cer- 
tainly Montpelier, as a small city, may watch 
Boston, a large city, in her effort to attain higher 
levels, and profit thereby." 

— Montpelier, Vt., Journal. 



"The movement of 'Boston-1915' has not only 
bestirred the impulses of our people here in a manner 
unprecedented; it has awakened recognition from 
onlookers outside as an effort of municipal advance- 
ment most significant in its methods." 

— Boston Post. 



"Philadelphia is pointed to Boston as an ex- 
amp e of a city that is thoroughly awake and 
hustling to make the best of its opportunities. 
Looks as though that 'Boston-1915' cry had made 
good." — Augusta, Me., Journal. 



"Boston-1915 is going to 'take' elsewhere, just 
as the park system took. Other cities are going 
to watch you as you work out your plan. Harness 
up all the complex forces of a great modern city 
and turn that energy on separate pieces of work, 
and I don't see but you've an answer to most of 
the things that are puzzling American cities to-day." 

— G. E. Hooker, Secretary of the Chicago City 
Club, in the Boston Traveler. 



"Newspapers in various states are describing 
the movement now on foot to improve Boston as 
a city, and are commending its example to their 
own communities. Boston has had an interesting 
past, but no city can live on its past in these days. 
There is but one time in the life of a city, the present; 
and in the present the wise man, without procrasti- 
nation or lagging of spirit, builds for the future." 
—The Boston Globe. 



"Boston is always expected to do things a little 
better than they are done elsewhere. Perhaps 
old 'Tri-Mountain' has been a little sleepy of late 
years, but the '1915' spirit is sweeping through 
her now and awakening everyone. The movement 
is rapidly growing, and is approved by the mem- 
bers of the Board of Trade, the Boston Merchants' 
Association, the Chamber of Commerce, district 
organizations and other powerful bodies, as well 
as the schools and churches. 

"Meetings have been held night after night 
at Faneuil Hall, the 'cradle of liberty,' which has 
nursed many a patriotic movement. If Peter 
Faneuil could amble down Tremont Street today, 
he would find everyone talking about 'Boston-1915,' 
and would probably be handed this business-like 
postal : 

"I believe all citizens should unite definitely to work 
for their city, and thereafter pledge such service as I can 
give to 'Boston-lOlS.' " 

"Space is left for the names of organizations 
likely to be interested. The first proposition is 
to thoroughly discuss purposes and plans, and 
have a definite understanding, utilizing the old 
'town nieetin' ' spirit, which is still alive in New 
England. Another suggestion is that each organiza- 
tion shall 'review the ideals and possibilities of 
its own particular work.' And a broader idea is: 
'Learn what is to be learned from other cities, 
here and abroad, where success has been made 
along improvement lines.' 

— The National Magazine. 



Notes from the Wide Field 



To Set You Thinking 



SOUTH WEYMOUTH-1920 

South Weymouth is the first small 
town to adopt the Boston-1915 idea. 
It has chosen "South Weymouth-1920" 
as its slogan and mapped out an ex- 
tensive plan for general town betterment. 
According to its newly adopted constitu- 
tion seven standing committees will 
make a careful accounting of present 
resources, take notes of all that is being 
done, set forth the particular needs of 
their special departments and present 
plans for work ahead. 

The following committees have the 
work in charge: Public Health, Public 
Morals, Village Improvement, Education, 
Social x\dvancement. Business Progress 
and Civic Relations. 



TOWN PLANNING EXHIBITION 
IN BERLIN 

During the month of May a general 
town planning exhibition is to be held 
in Berlin under the presidency of the 
oherhurgenneister of Berlin, Mr. Kirsch- 
ner. The exhibition will include copies 
of all the best town plans in Europe, 
including those of Amsterdam, Bremen, 
Brunn, Budapest, Coin, Chemnitz, Dres- 
den, Darmstadt, Dusseldorf, Danzig, 
Essen, Frankfurt, Frieburg, Griesheim, 
Geestemunde, Gravenhage, Hamburg, 
Heme, Kopenhagen, Karlsruhe, Karls- 
bad, Konigsberg, Lubeck, Liverpool, 
Munchen, Mannheim, Nurnberg, Posen, 
Paris, Strassburg, Stuttgart, Stockholm, 
Ulm, and Wien. 

A letter from the secretary of the ex- 
hibition says that "it is not enough to 
build a city economically and hygien- 
ically. Wise and artistic city-planning 
can add much to the beauty of the town 
and its streets, to the charm of the 



Men in almost every line of business 
find themselves wondering whether or 
not they can increase their business 
with this great power — publicity. If 
they thought they could, they would 
be inclined to try. 

It is at this point that the services 
of an able advertising agent should be 
of great value to them. The agent 
should be much in the position of a 
captain who not only knows the course 
but knows whether or not the vessel 
is seaworthy. 

Suppose, for instance, your product 
is not one of general consumption. Sup- 
pose it is of medium grade, your capital 
and manufacturing facilities are small 
and a mis-move would mean failure. 
How important it is that you find an 
agent sufficiently well skilled to consider 
all these factors from a viewpoint dif- 
ferent to your own, and then decide the 
question on its merits whether or not 
money should be first spent in advertis- 
ing or first spent in getting the business 
in shape to advertise; mapping out a 
well-defined policy that places before 
the proprietor actual goals to reach. 

Almost any line of business can be 
increased by advertising in one way or 
another; but in all cases the publicity 
is only one wheel in a series that moves 
the machinery, and if it is ill-fitting lost 
motion is bound to be the result. 

If you make an honest product and 
want it honestly sold, advertise it and 
you will photograph the name of this 
product in the minds of the people. 
This will insure it being intelligently 
bought, and will make its name a tre- 
mendous asset if continuously adver- 
tised — an asset so broad and far-reach- 
ing that your investment is unassailable. 
Advertising undoubtedly can give an 
impetus to your business that you now 
little realize is possible. 

A. W. ELLIS AGENCY, 

10 High Street, Boston, Mass. 
Telephone: Main 1544. 



46 



NEW BOSTON 



squares and the parks surrounding the 
city and to the avenues connecting 
them. The happy spirit of a beautifu 
city is an invalubale asset to every in- 
habitant." 

The BerHn City Council is awarding 
6,000 pounds in prizes for best plans for 
a greater Berlin, and this contest has 
aroused considerable interest through- 
out the empire. 

Special departments of the exhibition 
will deal with transit and transportation 
planning, open spaces, playgrounds, 
parks, cemeteries, treatment of places 
of historic interest or national beauty, 
treatment of squares and boulevards, 
the remodelling of older parts of cities, 
the development of garden suburbs, 
etc. The collection will comprise plans, 
bird's-eye views, photos and paintings, 
and a large number of models. 



Souvenir Post Cards 



and all kinds of 



Colored Lithographs 

including book illustrations and 

Posters, Letterheads, 
Envelopes, Cards, Etc. 



Publishers of 

Automobile Road Maps, 

City Maps, 

Guides and Atlases 

Map Catalogue, Free on Request 



Walker Lith. & Pub. Co. 

Walker Studio Building 
400 NEWBURY ST., BOSTON, MASS. 



Emerson College 

of Oratory 

HENRY LAWRENCE SOUTHWICK, 
President 



Largest school of expression in the 
United States with students, in one 
year, from forty states and foreign 
countries. 

Seventy teachers were placed last 
year in positions ranging from high 
schools to universities. 

Courses in literature, oratory, peda- 
gogy, physical culture, voice, dra- 
matic art, etc. 

Summer school from July 11 to Aug. 
5, immediately following N. E. A. 
CONVENTION. 

Send for Catalog 
HARRY SEYMOUR ROSS, Dean 

Chickering Hall, Huntington Ave., Boston 



MULTIGRAPH TYPEWRITING 

Type-ribbon duplication that exactly re- 
sembles individual typewritten letters, postal 
cards, etc., with names filled in to match. 
Send for samples. 

Rush orders received by telephone can be 
mailed at an hour's notice. 

STENOGRAPHY AND TYPEWRITING 

Scientific and Technical Manuscripts a Specialty 



MISS INA A. KEITH 



Room 1126, 



6 BEACON STREET, BOSTON 



Charles H.Perry 

ADVERTISING 

SYSTEM 

4a Irvlngton Street H""t'ngton 

fc> Avenue 



Telephone 

1504 Back Bay 



Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 




NEW BOSTON 



SPECIAL FEATURES 



A Notable Address on City 
Planning 

Shall "Dip-Tank" Milk Stay or Go? 

Reception of the Housing Report 
at Home and Abroad 

What Boston-1915 is Now Doing 

Boston's Exposition in 1915 



A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IM 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY BOSTON 1915 INC- 6 BEACON ST- 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS- U-S-A 



JUNE, 1910 

VOL.1. NO. 2 

TEN CENTS A COPY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR, 




OUR IDEA OF SERVICE 



VALUE OF 

GAS SERVICE 



LOCAL CON- 
DITIONS AFFECT 
SERVICE 



PREVENTION 

OF WASTE 



SCOPE OF 

OUR SERVICE 



GAS SERVICE is MORE than the supply of GOOD 
QUALITY gas at a LOW PRICE. The VALUE of our 
SERVICE depends upon its APPLICATION in the hun- 
dreds of different forms with which you are famiUar. 

Gas is only the RAW MATERIAL, so to speak. It be- 
comes useful only when TRANSFORMED into LIGHT, 
HEAT AND POWER. 

While the PRODUCTION of the gas is under our con- 
trol, and we can invent and furnish IMPROVED APPLI- 
ANCES for the ECONOMIC USE of the gas, we cannot de- 
termine the MANNER of its APPLICATION on the premises. 

For example, no matter how good in quality the gas may 
be, STOPPAGES in the HOUSE PIPING and CLOGGED or 
IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED BURNERS will cause a DIM 
and UNSATISFACTORY Hght. Again the WASTE of gas 
due to IRREGULARLY SHAPED or FLARING FLAMES 
means HIGH BILLS, however low the price may be, and a 
YELLOW FLAME in your gas stove will give INSUFFI- 
CIENT HEAT, despite all we can do at the gas works. 

Although we are not responsible for them, we are 
EXTREMELY ANXIOUS to REMEDY these LOCAL 
TROUBLES, as we believe it is good business to satisfy our 
customers. It is for this reason that we have just started this 
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE CANVASS, which is being conducted 
by our FORTY REPRESENTATIVES. 

These men, with your assistance, will ascertain whether 
all the CONDITIONS of the SERVICE are SATISFAC- 
TORY. If not, they will report to the office to have the 
DEFECTS REMEDIED. These reports will be referred to 
EXPERTS in the following departments for IMMEDIATE 
ATTENTION: 

Illuminating Engineers Burner inspectors 

Women Stove Demonstrators Stove Inspectors 
Piping Inspectors Gas Engine Inspectors 

Industrial Fuel Inspectors, etc. 

As this service is FREE and for our MUTUAL BENE- 
FIT, we ask YOUR CO-OPERATION to make it as 
USEFUL as POSSIBLE. 



BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 

By J. L. RICHARDS, President 
Telephone Commercial Department Oxford 1690 24 West St., Boston 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



6 Beacon Street 



Vol. I JUNE, 1910 No. 2 

Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc., at 6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 

A Chronicle of Progress in Developing a Greater and Finer City 
Under the Auspices of the Boston-1915 Movement 

Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any 
organization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy 
per annum. Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Second-class rates pending at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS, Circulation and Advertising Manager 

{Copyright, 1910, by 5oi/o»— 1915, Inc.) 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 47 

BOSTON'S LOSS AND PHILADELPHIA'S GAIN 51 

AIM OF EXPOSITION OF 1915 52 

" SANER FOURTH " LEGISLATION S3 

A PROGRAM FOR A •' SANER FOURTH " 54 

WHAT BOSTON-1915 IS DOING 55 

GROUP ACTIVITIES 58 

THE RECEPTION OF THE HOUSING REPORT 61 

AN ENGLISH REVIEW OF THE HOUSING REPORT 64 

CITY PLANNING Frederick Law Olmsted 65 

THE CASE AGAINST " LOOSE MILK " Charlotte Kimball Kruesi 69 

THE ROCHESTER CONFERENCE Flavel Shurtleff 72 

UNDERMINING DRUNKENNESS Robert A. Woods 74 

THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT 75 

MR. KELSO'S REPORT ON ALIEN SCHOLARS 77 

ATHLETICS FOR YOUTH 79 

BILLBOARD LEGISLATION 80 

CONGESTION IN NEW YORK CITY 81 

TEACHING THRIFT 82 

PROGRESS OF SAVINGS BANK INSURANCE 83 

TREE PLANTING IN DENVER 84 

A CITY PLAN FOR DALLAS 85 

NOTES FROM THE WIDE FIELD 86 



NEW BOSTON 




ORANSE peMOE 



%i TE m ust 




COFFEf 

.'^'NEUL. WRIGHT C 

?«STON-CHlCA 



31WD T 



White House Coffee is put up for those who want 
a dependable article of intrinsic value, and are willing 



to pay a fair price. That price is. not high, certainly 
not extravagant, as your own experience will prove. You 
can buy White House Coffee in any business, centipr of 
this country. Its wonderful growth, in sales in 20 years 
is the best proof that its splendid standard of quality is 
not approached by other brands. We offer it asilhfi 



White House Teas (5 distinct flavors) are just as good 

s White House Coffee. Both Coffee and Teas are in the 

!f "All-Tin" cans that keep all: goodness in, all badness out. 

' DWINELL-WRIGHT CO, 

Principal Coffee Roasters. BOSTON— CHICAGO. 




WHERE THE 



Underwood 

Standard 

Typewriter 



has replaced other machines, gains have been made in celerity 
and accuracy of work — due to the UNDERWOOD features of 
proven value. 

Everybody ought to know what the UNDERWOOD will 
do when put to the severest test. 

An opportunity to examine and prove 

'' The Machine You Will Eventually Buy " 

will be afforded at any branch office 

UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY 

" INCORPORATED" 

214 Devonshire Street, Boston 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I JUNE, 1910 No. 2 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



The Second Number of NEW BOSTON 

To a large extent the contents of this number, as of last month's magazine, are 
determined by the progress of events. An enlarging circle of activities calls for both 
detailed description and editorial comment. We reproduce at some length the dis- 
cussions in the daily press and other periodicals upon the report of the Housing Com- 
mittee, which was the most distinctive feature of the last number; these extended 
comments fully justify our judgment of the value of what is already done, and of the 
importance of the next steps. We have also tried to answer at some length the ques- 
tion, "Just what is Boston-1915 really accomplishing.''" We commend to the careful 
study of our readers the topical chart outlining the activities of the various con- 
ferences of Boston-1915, noting especially the extent to which different groups find 
their interests and efforts interrelated. Mr. Kelso's report is an illustration of the 
manner in which a subject may be investigated and reported to a group for its consid- 
eration and for later activities by all groups interested. Mrs. Kreusi's article is es- 
pecially timely, and should help arouse the citizens of Boston to a situation which 
calls for a remedy without further delay. Mr. Shurtleff's story of the Rochester con- 
vention, of which he was the efficient secretary, shows that the subject of city planning 
is coming to receive the attention it deserves. Mr. Woods ably presents the intended 
worth of the so-called "bar and bottle" legislation from the viewpoint of the sociaj 
worker. It is hoped that other themes more briefly treated will prove of equal interest 

Some Things in Store for our Readers 

The July number of NEW BOSTON, which will appear coincidently with the 
assembling of the National Education Association in this city, will give special promi- 
nence to the educational aspects of the Boston-1915 movement. The address of 
President Eliot given at a gathering of the Educational Group Conference, a few weeks 
ago, will appear in full; also an article from Prof. James Hardy Ropes of Harvard 
University, upon the plans and progress of the University Extension work, of which 
he is the head. Dr. Thomas F. Harrington will describe the out-of-door school room. 

We are promised, in season for the next number, the story of the Filene Co- 
operative Association's plans for model dwelling houses; also a review of the important 
report of the State Commission on the Cost of Living, of which Hon. Robert Luce 
is chairman.^ A subject of special interest will be "Metropolitan Boston — what it is 
and how it is^governed," to be treated by Mr. March G. Bennett, and to be illustrated 
with maps; this will admirably define the extent of the field of Boston-1915. 



48 NEW BOSTON 

The 1915 Idea Contagious 

One of the gratifying experiences of our office at Beacon Street is the interest 
manifested by towns and cities outside of nietroj)olitan Boston in our plans, and the 
help sought for experiments elsewhere. "South Weymouth-1920" was scarcely well 
under way when Foxboro awakened to its opportunities, and after an evening's visit 
from our Executive Director entered vigorously upon a "Foxboro-1915" campaign. 
A meeting recently held by this new organization was addressed by Rev. W. M. Mac- 
nair of Cambridge, who discussed civic progress under the four heads of a town's 
appearance, health, profit and spirit. And now an adjoining community, Mansfield, 
is organizing in like manner. With such flexibility of local adjustment for the Boston- 
1915 idea we see no reason why many other towns should not do likewise. It will 
give us pleasure to forward to any inquirers some instructive literature as to methods 
of procedure in such cases. 

Wolves in Sheeps* Clothing 

An interesting history is connected with the early stages of the new law regulating 
the use of high explosives. A bill purporting to accomplish this result was introduced 
at an early stage and sent to the Committee on Mercantile Affairs. An effort was made 
to withdraw this bill somewhat suddenly just before the date limiting the introduction 
of new business; the suspicions of the committee were aroused, and they discovered that 
this measure owed its genesis to a certain manufacturer of high explosives in the hope 
that it would block the way for any genuine measure for the protection of the public. 
Thanks to the promptness and skill of certain members of the committee, an effective 
measure was drafted, with the assistance of Deputy Chief Neal of the State Police, 
who is an expert upon the subject of explosives. After some persistent opposition 
from the "interests," whose "craft was in danger," this has become a law, as described 
elsewhere. We allude to this bit of history to show the ingenious expedients to which 
the foes of proper legislation will resort, and the vigilance needed to defeat them. 

An Illuminating Symposium 

Joseph Cook was fond of emphasizing the value of the unforced opinions of the 
young men of the land. We find a like significance in the letters of school children 
sent to the Boston Globe in response to an offer of cash prizes for the best communica- 
tions answering the question, "What kind of a Fourth of July do the children want?" 
This has proved an admirable way of giving publicity and endorsement to the "Safer 
and Saner Fourth Plan." In the letters already published we observe a wide variety 
of views, as should be expected in genuine children's letters; but there are also some in- 
teresting agreements upon certain propositions. Many boys and girls are evidently 
impressed with the dangers that have gathered around recent celebrations of the day, 
and will heartily welcome deliverance from perils of high explosives in the hands of 
their companions or of reckless older people. They also manifest a desire to enjoy 
to the utmost fine displays of fireworks, but to have them set off by "men who know- 
how." Picnics, excursions and free theatres are the dream of some, but there is a rather 
surprising desire to learn something about the meaning of the day. A fifth-grade 
boy in a Roxbury school writes: 

"I would like all the children to dress up and parade the streets. In the forenoon have a 
picnic that would last till noontime, with flag decorations. Have some one tell us why we 
celebrate the Fourth of July. In the afternoon have historical parades, then have a parade 
representing all the trades. Have meetings in all the halls where speeches could be made 
telling al)out the Revolutionary War and how the Declaration of Independence was signed." 



NO'TE AND COMMEN'I' 4^ 

The greatest preponderance of view seems to be for historical pageants and mili- 
tary scenes, with costumed reproduction of British and American colonial troops; 
in which, to quote the words of a small girl, "children should make up parades and 
dress queerly." We think the committee in charge of arrangements for Boston's 
"New Fourth" will find some excellent and practicable suggestions in this symposium. 

The Health of Boston 

In view of various questions of public concern now pressing for attention upon the 
officials and citizens of Boston, we foresee a call for great activity on the part of the 
Health group of the organizations making up Boston-1915. That this body of earnest 
workers is quite alive to the situation is evidenced by the record of their activities 
elsewhere described, together with those of the other groups. One of the fundamental 
problems calling for careful and dispassionate consideration is clearly stated m a 
signed editorial in The Boston Common from Dr. Richard C. Cabot. 

The Board of Health should be reorganized under a single executive head, as recommended 
by the old Finance Commission and by the Chamber of Commerce. For many years the 
frequent changes in membership, due to the habit of handing out the $4,000 commissioner- 
ships as payment for political debts, have seriously weakened the authority and efficiency 
of the board. Boston is the only city of any importance in America which attempts to 
manage its health-administration by means of a three-headed, three salaried board. 

We also note with interest an allusion in the same editorial to co-operation between 
public and private agencies in keeping a city clean : 

A very hopeful sign of new life and interest in the field of public health is the development 
of co-operation between public and private agencies which work for a cleaner city. In the 
sanitary inspection of alleyways, yards and vacant lots the Board of Health has recently co- 
operated with agents of a private society; also in the home nursing and isolation of contagious 
diseases. This marks a long step in advance. Public health will improve just as soon as the 
people at large are interested to improve it. The best way to interest them is to put them 
on the job. 

The City's Wastes 

Few problems now before the Mayor and Council are of greater importance 
than that involved in the disposal of the city's wastes. Two excellent commissions 
have given careful study to this question and have issued admirable reports, makmg 
plain the importance of this matter, and urging prompt action, under expert advice, 
on the part of the city. 

Boston suffers today from three main evils in connection with the disposal ot 
her wastes: from the "dumps" in various parts of the city which are an offence to 
the nostrils and the eyes as well as a menace to health and property; from the litter- 
ing of the streets with rubbish and the polluting of the air with dust and ashes due to 
antiquated methods of collection and transportation; and, worst of all, from all sorts 
of discomfort and danger arising from the irregularity, especially in the outer sections 
of the city, with which garbage is collected. 

In these enlightened days all these evils are unnecessary and should not be 
tolerated. Sanitary engineers have demonstrated, and cities in this country and 
abroad have proved by actual trial, that all the wastes of a municipality can be taken 
care of decently, effectually and at reasonable cost. It is a question simply of the 
application of modern scientific method under conditions of proper organization and 
unremitting inspection. Boston cannot claim to be in the first rank of modern cities 



50 NEW BOSTON 

until she has settled, and settled })roperly, this question of waste-disposal, for it is 
fundamental to the health, comfort, good appearance and self-respect of the entire 
city. 

Workmen's Conntpensation 

Two of the great (juestions of the day in whicli Boston-1915 is deeply concerned 
are closely interrelated — the problem of bringing about better relations between em- 
ployer and employee and that of preventing unnecessary delays in the procedure of 
the courts. It is superfluous to say that the main causes of irritation and misunder- 
standing between the employer and his men are to be found in the claims and suits 
for damage arising from industrial accidents; while, as stated in the excellent report 
of the Commission appointed to investigate the causes of delay in the administration 
of justice, "much cause of delay would be removed if controversies between master 
and servant for personal injuries were dealt with under a Workmen's Compensation 
Act instead of by trial by court." 

The Committee on Industrial Relations of the Boston Chamber of Commerce has 
performed, therefore, public service in advocating the enactment of legislation dealing 
in a common-sense way with this vital problem of workmen's compensation. Such 
legislation is not radical or new; for in practically all the European countries workmen's 
compensation or insurance laws, along the lines of this proposed legislation, have been 
long in force, and with excellent results. The main recommendations i)resented in 
the report of the Industrial Relations Committee are that the present confessedly 
inadequate liability law be repealed; that a Workmen's Compensation Act be passed 
which shall apply to all public service corporations, factories, warehouses, machine 
shops, etc., employing more than five persons; that under this act the injured person 
shall give notice of claim within six months and shall submit to examination by a 
competent physician; that questions arising under the act shall be decided by a board 
of three persons appointed, one to represent each party and the third to be chosen 
by these two as referee; and that the decisions by such boards of adjustment, when 
entered with the clerk of the Superior Court, shall have the same force as a court 
judgment. 

All such legislation must be, of course, a matter of compromise between the 
radicals who ask too much and the conservatives who are disposed to grant too little; 
but the most casual study of existing conditions, with their prolonged litigation, 
expensive to both sides; with the award, if made at all, largely swallowed up in fees; 
and with the small residue reaching the injured j)erson only months or even years 
after the time when the money is most needed, makes it clear that a workmen's com- 
pensation act, even though it be in the beginning but an imperfect compromise, is a 
matter of great and immediate importance. 



BOSTON'S LOSS AND PHILADELPHIA'S GAIN 



Mr. Alexander M. Wilson, the executi\'e secretary of the Boston Association for 
the Relief and Study of Tuberculosis, is soon to leave his work here to take up a very 
responsible position with the Phipps Tuberculosis Institute of Philadelphia, which 
has recently become a part of the University of Pennsylvania. He will have charge 
of the social service department, and also will be the executive head, or superintendent 
of the institute. The position is a very imj:)ortant and honorable one and is a distinct 
compliment to his previous success and the ability shown in other fields of work. 

Mr. Wilson, several years ago, was called from social service in New Jersey 
to become the secretary of the Boston Tuberculosis Association. He was at that 
time young, unknown and untried in this special 
work. He very quickly, however, obtained a 
grasp of the whole situation, made himself 
thoroughly acquainted with the conditions as 
they existed here, readily formed a large ac- 
c{uaintanceship with those engaged in philan- 
thropic and charitable work as well as with 
those in various official positions. Through his 
creative and aggressive work, the Boston Asso- 
ciation took a leading part in this state in the 
tuberculosis campaign, which it has ever since 
maintained. Mr. Wilson, moreover, not only 
developed an extended tuberculosis work in 
this community, but became a power in various 
other charitable and philanthropic endeavors. 

The work which he did in this vicinity 
became so conspicuous for its excellence and 
extent, that through it he soon became known 
in other parts of the country, and several years 
ago he was called to take charge of a similar 
work in Chicago, which he rapidly developed 

and enlarged with the same energy and ability which he exhibited in Boston. He 
was finally called from his tuberculosis work and put in charge of one of the great 
charitable organizations of Chicago. About a year ago, when the position of execu- 
tive secretary of the Boston Association became vacant, Mr. Wilson was persuaded 
to accept it and return to Boston, much to the pleasure of all those who had known 
and recognized his previous work in the Association and in the city. 

We consider Mr. Wilson's departure a distinct loss not only to the tuberculosis 
campaign but to all social work in the city. Mr. Wilson is a thoroughly trained social 
worker, an admirable executive, and possesses that rare persuasive ability which 
enables one to obtain assistance from others. He readily made friends and held them. 
He antagonized no one. His modesty and entire freedom from any egotism would 
always quickly win him a hearing, and he generally obtained a favorable response 
to his requests for aid in his work. 

The Phipps Institute is fortunate in obtaining such an exceptional person to 
control it. 




ALEXANDER M. WILSON 



51 



AIM OF THE EXPOSITION OF 1915 

A significant indication of the widespread interest in the plans of Boston-1915 
appears in tlie rnnior recently started, and centering in ])roposed Congressional action, 
to the effect that our New England metropolis is a rival of San Francisco and New 
Orleans in their ambitions to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal by a colossal 
Workl's Fair. Boston has, of course, no desire to enter into rivalry with these two 
cities for an international exposition of the ordinary type, to celebrate an event with 
which San Francisco and New Orleans are far more intimately concerned ; but Boston- 
1915, as was stated in the first issue of "New Boston," is making plans for a graphic 
living presentation, five years hence, not only of what this city is doing, but of the 
best that is being attempted and accomplished by all the leading communities of the 
United States and of Europe. The proposed Boston Exposition will not only be 
different from the ordinary world's fair, but it will be more comprehensive, more 
educational, and more vital in its influence upon the development of Boston, of New 
England, and of the country as a wdiole. 

In the central buildings there will be exhibited machinery, products, etc., showing 
the business and industrial activity of the country (especially of New England) , but, 
in addition to these more or less dead exhibits, all the business and manufacturing 
interests of Greater Boston will be enlisted to show their mercantile and manufacturing 
activities in actual process, so that anyone who wishes may see the making of shoes, 
the spinning of cotton, the preparation of a book, etc., from the beginning to the end 
of the process. 

In addition, however, to this living exhibit of business and manufacturing, the 
exposition in 1915 purj^oses to show in every possible way the best that is being done, 
not only in the United States but all over the world, in the development and promo- 
tion of transportation, sanitation, education, housing, recreation, welfare work, good 
relations between capital and labor, and of all other phases of municipal development 
in which there is today such widespread interest. This extension of the ordinary 
functions of an exposition will be covered not only by showing in active operation all 
that shall have been accomplished at that time in Greater Boston, along these lines 
of civic development, but also by exhibiting by means of charts, models, moving 
pictures, stereopticon lectures, etc., the very best things that are being done all over 
the world for the welfare and happiness of humanity. 

Furthermore, it is proposed to bring to Boston, in connection with this exposition, 
as many as possible of the conventions devoted to business, economics, sociology, 
health, etc., as may be secured; and to carry on in addition special conferences and 
congresses upon those problems of city development which are of the largest and most 
vital importance. 

Appreciating, of course, that what brings the greatest number of persons to ex- 
positions are the so-called "midway features," the Boston exposition in 1915 does not 
propose to neglect them. On the contrary, it purposes to present them on a far larger 
and better scale than has heretofore been seen. Instead of allowing these features to 
be carried on by private individuals for personal gain, it is planned to enlist the wdiole 
city in the carrying forward of great amusement features, such as Olympic games, 
aeroplane contests, historical and industrial pageants, sports and illuminations on 
the Charles River Basin and in the harbor; and especially to present all those dis- 
tinctive features from other parts of the United States and from other countries which 

52 



SANER FOURTH LEGISLATION 



53 



have to do with entertainment and recreation for the people. In other words, on the 
amusement side it is intended to make the exposition a great object lesson m wha 
rbcirdone and can be done to provide for the citizens of a mun.cpahty that rational 
entertainment which is essential to their happiness and welfare. 

SANER FOURTH LEGISLATION 

The nro-ress of the movement, now becoming national, for a '^saner and .safer 
Fourth of Jufv." depends largely upon aroused and informed local sent.ment, expressed 
rr ^. and attractive n.ethods of celebrating the day. One ""Port-tP-' "^ '^e 
progran,, however, calls for a legislative mandate-the preveut.on of '- -'-'^''-Ke;- 
ous explosives. In .spite of the influences of a well-orgamzed lobby at the State House, 
Senate B 1 394 was passed by that body with but one dissentmg vote: and .n the 
Ho"t a oposed po tponing of its operation for one year was met wth such .strong 
"TXCargunLus that the amendment was lost and the Senate measure adopted 
unchant^ed by an overwhelming viva voce vote. i j , 

The significant portion of this new law is found in the fir.,t section, and reads as 

follows : 

Section 1 II shall be unlawful for aay per.on to sell or keep for s.le .,ny blank carlr.dge toy 
„isTo toy gnn or toy e„„no„ that can be nsed to fire a blank cartridge; or to .sell or keep tor sa e, 
to fi J explode or cause to explode any blank cartridge or bomb; or to sell or keep to sale 
' t^ "roff explode or canse to explode any fireworks containing any p.cnc ac.d or p.cratcs, o 
;Lv fir cracke7exceeding two inches In length, and three-eighths ot an mch m d>ameter or ot 
rgrerr'plollve power than a firecracker ot snch sl.e composed wholly ot black gunpowder. 

Certain exceptions are carefully stated, allowing the use of i"""™!'!;"? fi«™;l;^ 
■a night the sale of explosives when sent directly out of the state, official salutes ete^ 

le ion 2 provide' for licenses for manufactories of firework., by both local aad 

state a. horiti s, and empowers cities and towns by ordinance and by-law to prohtb.t 

t ,e saw or use o fireworks or firecrackers, or to limit the t.me .n which they may be 

1 « This last-named feature of the new law is worthy of note, as conernng upon 

eWes atid towns a distinct right of local regulation along the lines of advanemg 

'™"Th:fnrto sections provide for the enforcement of this law by the di.s.riet police. 
The penalfe are fines not to exceed «00 or imprisonment not to exceed thirty days: 

the act takes effect June 1, 1910. -,^, - . • + „,uv. 

It was the privilege of the Executive Department of Boston-191» to assist, with 
the help of an.efficient legislative agent, in overcoming the opposition to this measure 
w^'ich It one stage seemed seriou.sly to threaten its success. The strong support of 
1 e daW press of Boston and the letters of friends of the •■Saner Fourth proved suf- 
"0 enable the committee on Mercantile Affairs to carry their "---'-» 
for this much credit should be given to the leadership ot Senator Roekwood o Franklin 
mi<l TJenresentative Bayley of Lexington. 

No statute, however, will enforce itself, especially when it runs counter to usage 
which have been a.ssociated with "liberty and patriotism." It therefore remains for 
III good citizens to be vigilant as to the enforcement of this law, it we are to be 
gladdened on the morning of July 5 next by a diminished tale of death and suffering. 



ATTRACTIVE PROGRAM FOR JULY FOURTH 

The small boy, as well as nature, abhors a vacuum; and the removal of perilous 
but exciting methods of celebrating our national holiday puts a strong necessity upon 
the advocates of the new regime to furnish ample supply of safe and sensible pleasures 
for old and young. We have elsewhere alluded to the suggestions which the children 
are offering through the columns of a dailj^ paper; and we are glad to chronicle the 
progress of the Executive Committee now at work upon the order of events which 
are to fill to overflowing the hours of the glorious Fourth. 

In view of the fact that the President of the United States and many thousands 
of teachers connected with the National Education Association are to be the guests 
of Boston on this day, there is added stimulus for our best efforts. The time is exceed- 
ingly short, but if all representative organizations will heed the suggestions of the 
letter recently sent out to them by the Executive Committee, the success of the under- 
taking is assured. The general features proposed are fire ships and bonfires, antic|ues 
and horribles, local parades and sports, a central historical parade, house decorations, 
with an evening display of fireworks on the Charles River Basin in which two cities 
will co-operate. It is hoped that the different sections of the city will enter into 
generous rivalry in furnishing the most novel and attractive features for their own 
residents, thus scattering the festivities over a wide area rather than crowding every- 
thing into a congested center. Boston is the first city of its size to attempt such con- 
certed effort for a wise and worthy celebration of this holiday; and in view of the rep- 
resentative character of the Committee of One Hundred and Fifty and the hearty 
sympathy and help of Mayor Fitzgerald and the city government, we believe that 
gratifying results are within our reach. In our next issue we hope to give our readers 
a detailed program of events. 

The Executive Committee is as follows: 

Mr. Timothy J. Buckley, 
Mr. Robert E. Burke, 
Mr. Timothy A. Butler, 
Miss Lotta A. Clark, 
Mr. Mitchell Freiman, 
Mr. Edward E. Moore, 
Mr. William Orr. 

The entire list of the General Committee will be of interest to our readers : 



Mr. Frederick J. Allen, 
Mr. Nathan L. Amster, 
Mr. William S. Apple ton, 
Mr. T. D. Apollonio, 
Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews, 
Mr. Percy Lee Atherton, 
Mr. John J. Attridge, 
Dr. James B. Ayer, Jr., 
Mr. Andrew A. Badaracco, 
Mr. George P. Baker, 
Mr. Walter Ballantyne, 
Mr. George Barry, 
Mr. Albert J. Beaton, 
Mr. M. L. Berkowitz, 
Dr. J. Bapst Blake, 



Mr. Meyer Bloomfield, 
Dr. Bottomley, 
Mrs. T. J. Bowlker, 
Mr. L. J. Brackett, 
Mr. Sewall C. Brackett, 
Mr. Frederick J. Brand, 
Mr. Louis C. Brandeis, 
Mr. D. C. Brewer, 
Mr. George E. Brock, 
Mr. Stratton D. Brooks, 
Mr. W. C. Brooks, 
Mr. Timothy J. Buckley, 
Mr. C. D. Burrage, 
Mr. Arthur Burnham, 
Mrs. R. C. Cabot, 



54 



ATTRACTIVE PROGRAM FOR JULY FOURTH 



55 



Mr. Daniel J. Chapman, 

Mr. A. Ceppi, 

Mr. E. W. Clark, 

Mr. Ellery Clark, 

Mr. James C. Clark, 

Miss Lotta M. Clark, 

Mr. Samuel W. Cole, 

Mr. George W. Coleman, 

Mi.ss S:ilen Coolidge, 

Mr. Walter L. Collins, 

Mr. W. Dudley Cotton, Jr., 

Mr. Charles M. Cox, 

Mr. R. A. Cram, 

Fr. John J. Cronin, 

Mr. Henry ^'. Cunningham, 

Mr. James M. Curley, 

Mr. Edward Curran, 

Mr. Philip Davis, 

Mr. John W. de Bruyn, 

Dr. William H. Devine, 

Mr. Cornelius J. Desmond, 

Mr. Alfred P. DeVoto, 

Mr. Alvin E. Dodd, 

Mr. Alexander Dodd, 

Rev. C. F. Dole, 

Mr. J. V. Donnaruma, 

Mr. John H. Dorsey, 

Mrs. Malcolm Donald, 

Mr. W. C. Eddy, 

Rabbi M. M. Eichler, 

Mr. David A. Ellis. 

Mr. J. P. Ernst, 

Mr. Roger Ernst, 

Mr. William C. Ewing, 

Mr. John H. Fahey, 

Mr. Augustus A. Fales, 

Hon. John F. Fitzgerald, 

Mrs. Susan W. Fitzgerald, 

Mr. Mitchell Freiman, 

Dr. William J. Gallivan, 

Fr. Thomas I. Gasson, 

Mr. William H. Gleason, 

Mrs. J. H. Googins, 

Mrs. Therese Goulston, 

Mrs. H. S. Grew, 

Mr. Matthew Hale, 

Dr. T. F. Harrington, 

Mr. Edward T. Harlman, 

Col. William E. Haskell, 

Mr. Albert P. Hauck, 

Fr. Charles S. HoH", 

Mr. Samuel F. Hubbard, 

Rev. Leo J. Knappe, 

Mr. John E Kelly, 

Judge Frank Leveroni, 

Mr. William E. Litchfield, 



Mrs. Lawrenc? J. Logan, 

Mr. Frank L. Locke, 

Mr. Charles Logue, 

Miss Amy Lowell, 

Judge Edward L. Logan, 

Mr. J. W. Lund, 

Fr. George A. Lyons, 

Miss Jane McCrad\-, 

Mr. Daniel J. McDonald, 

Dr. Richard C. Maclaurin, 

Mr. James P. Magenis, 

Mr. John B. Martin, 

Mr. Frank S. Mason, 

Mr. Alexander McGregtir, 

Mr. Edwin D. Mead, 

Mr. George ^N. Mehaffey, 

Ml- Max Mitc'hell, 

Mr. Emil Mollenhauer, 

Mr. James J. Murphy, 

Mr. Michael A. Murphy, 

Mr. Charles J. Nichols, 

Miss Gertrude Ogilvie, 

Fr. John B. OLeary, 

Mr. William Orr, 

Rev. George L. Paine, 

Mr. Walter Gilman Page, 

Mr. Robert Treat Paine, Jr. 

Mr. Jerome B. Petitti, 

Mr. Henry G. Pickering, 

Dr. Charles J. Putnam, 

Miss Charlotte Porter, 

Mrs. Mary Pamela Rice, 

Mr. James W. Reardon, 

Miss Lilian V. Robinson, 

Dr. M. F. Rogers, 

Mr. B. J. Rothwell, 

Fr. Michael Scanlon, 

Dr. David D. Scannell, 

Mr. Alfred Scigliano, 

Dr. Colin A. Scott, 

Mr. Harvey N. Shepard, 

Mr. J. R. Simpson, 

Mr. Arthur K. Spaulding, 

Mr. F. A. B. Stanton, 

Mrs. Ellen Stone, 

Mark Stone 

Judge M. H. Sullivan, 

Mr. D. H. Sullivan. 

Mrs. John P. Suckling, 

Gen. Charles H. Taylor, 

Mr. David F. Tillcy, 

Mr. Herbert S. Underwood, 

Mr. George W. Wheelwright, Jr 

Mr. C. E. L. Wingate, 

Mr. A. L. Winshijx 

Mr. C. H. Winslow, 



Mr. Julius A. Zinn. 



WHAT BOSTON-1915 IS DOING 



For a few months after the beginning 
of this movement the usual question 
was "Why doesn't Boston-1915 do some- 
thing?" Now people of intelligence 
are asking "What is Boston-1915 doing?" 
This article, so far as is possible in a 
brief resume, will try to answer that 
question. 

The fundamental working factor in 
the organization of Boston-1915 is the 
conference. In each conference lies 
initial authority and ultimate responsi- 
bility. Suggestions of things to be done 
are expected to come primarily from the 
conferences and the final disposition 
of each suggestion rests with them. Each 
conference acts, as a rule, through special 
committees. It often happens that 
two or more conferences are vitally 
interested in the same subject. This is 
one evidence of the interlocking of civic 
problems which made necessary such an 
organization as Boston-1915. When 
such a problem arises it is referred to 
joint-committees made up of members 
from the various conferences interested. 

The first thing the Health Conference 
did was to consider a syllabus of the 
needs of Boston along the lines of sanita- 
tion, hygiene, etc., prepared by Dr. 
Richard C. Cabot. This syllabus was 
adopted tentatively as the programme 
for the conference. All other conferences 
have been asked to make a similar survey 
of the field. When this is done, not later 
than November first of this year, there 
will be presented, in definite and con- 
crete form, the civic needs of Boston. 
With the ])roblems thus clearly stated 
it will be easier to find solutions. 

Most of the conferences have been 
very fertile in suggestions and are work- 
ing actively toward the accomplishment 
of some of the things proposed. The 
Civic Conference votcfl to oppose a bill 
now before the Legislature prohibiting 
any except city or town authorities to 
take down illegal signboards, and in 
pursuance of this has circularized the 
Legislature and stirred up the members 
of the conference and their friends to 
write personal letters. P'rom this con- 



ference came the suggestion for a study 
of the problem of educating the newly 
arrived immigrants. A joint-committee 
with the Education Conference has made 
a valuable report which has been adopted 
by the Boston-1915 Directors and which 
appears elsewhere in this number. The 
need of proper co-ordination of the metro- 
politan departments has been considered 
by this conference and has been referred 
to its Executive Committee for action. 
This conference is also responsible for 
the committee of one hundred and fifty 
on the Saner Fourth, out of which grew 
the Saner Fourth Executive Committee 
that is co-operating with Mayor Fitz- 
gerald in planning for the coming Inde- 
pendence Day celebration. 

The Charities and Correction Con- 
ference has taken steps toward the accom- 
plishment of several important things. 
Here arose the proposition that Boston- 
1915 undertake a Civic Building to house 
various civic and philanthropic organiza- 
tions and institutions, public and private, 
and to provide adequate quarters for 
Boston-1915 itself. The Directors have 
taken this matter up for consideration. 
This conference authorized the appoint- 
ment of a committee to consider a remedy 
for the unnecessary delays in civic and 
criminal procedure. Also a joint-com- 
mittee to report on such modifications 
of the Employers Liability Law as may 
be found to be necessary. It has ap- 
pointed a committee to co-operate with 
the press of Boston to secure more intel- 
ligent handling of news involving charity 
cases. The use of recreation piers for 
summer sleeping quarters in the congested 
districts, an extensive study of illegiti- 
macy, proper supervision of playgrounds 
and parks, the extension of probation 
work at Deer Island and elsewhere, are 
subjects which this conference has re- 
ferred to special committees or organiza- 
tions from whom results may be expected. 

The Health Conference has endorsed 
the report of the Boston-1915 Housing 
Committee, and the project for an exposi- 
tion in Boston in 1915. It has appointed 
a committee to investigate and report 



56 



WHAT BOSTON -1915 IS DOING 



3/ 



on the sanitary conditions of Boston 
schoolhouses, and another one to help 
plan a traveling hygiene exhibit to go 
through the schools. It is also taking 
steps to secure needed improvements 
in the registration of vital statistics. 

The Conference of Women's Clubs 
is co-operating with the Saner Fourth 
Committee. It has appointed a Legis- 
lative Committee to handle legislation 
for Boston and the immediate vicinity, 
and also a special committee to work 
on the question of garbage disposal. 

The Youth Conference suggested the 
appointment of a committee to investi- 
gate and report on the construction and 
location of school buildings with reference 
to their more extended use as neighbor- 
hood centres, etc. This joint-committee 
is now made up of representatives from 
the Youth, Education, Neighborhood 
Work, and Women's Clubs Conferences. 
The Committee is taking up the question 
of an extended use of schoolhouses and 
is investigating the possibility of financial 
returns from this source. This conference 
has also assumed the responsibility for 
the Boys' Games in the summer and for 
following up the development of athletic 
work proposed at the dinner to General 
Wingate, arranged for this conference 
a short time ago, at which a scheme for 
athletics in the Boston schools, prepared 
by Dr. Garland, was adopted. 

The Fine and Industrial Arts Con- 
ference is co-operating with the Saner 
Fourth Committee in securing music 
for the celebration and is helping in the 
arrangements for a great civic parade. 

Several conferences have held meetings 
of a general nature to make a preliminary 
survey of the needs of Boston along each 
line of activity. This has been done by 
the Charities and Correction group, 
the Education Conference, and the Youth 
Conference. The Neighborhood Work 
Conference held one session on the cor- 
relation of Improvement Associations 
and Settlements and another, at which 
Mayor Fitzgerald presided, on the dis- 
trict needs of Boston. 

The work of the Boston-1915 Housing 
Committee should be fairly familiar 
now to the residents of Boston. The 
committee has completed its preliminary 
investigation of conditions and has 
reached a conclusion as to the causes, 
pointing tentatively to remedies. It is 



now devoting itself to the problem of 
remedial measures. At the instance of 
this committee another committee has 
been appointed to codify the health laws 
of Boston, indicating clearly upon which 
department rests the responsibility for 
their enforcement. 

Perhaps the most spectacular thing 
being done this year is the work of the 
Saner Fourth Committee. During the 
past year a committee of the same name, 
headed by Dr. Scannell, has been point- 
ing out the dangers of the usual kind of 
Fourth of July celebration. This com- 
paign has resulted in ordinances passed 
by the City of Boston prohibiting certain 
dangerous explosives, and in the passage 
by the Legislature of a bill to the same 
effect covering the whole Commonwealth. 
A committee of one hundred and fifty 
members is arranging details of the pro- 
gramme for the celebration of that day. 
These plans, which are given elsewhere, 
have the approval of Mayor Fitzgerald, 
and the city appropriation for this year 
will be spent in accordance with the 
suggestions of this committee. 

As might be expected in so large a 
movement, the most important results 
accomplished are the intangible ones. 
These at present are taking the form of 
closer acquaintance, and consequently 
greater possibility of co-operation be- 
tween the members of each group and 
between the groups themselves. In the 
Charities and Correction Conference, 
for instance, where already a great degree 
of co-operation existed, it was soon 
discovered that many members of this 
conference were not even acquainted 
with each other and had in fact never 
met before. The same is true in a greater 
degree of the other conferences. Out 
of this growing acquaintance must come 
in the course of time an increased sense 
of solidarity and consequently a greatly 
enhanced efficiency. 

For the convenience of those who wish 
to have for ready reference a concise 
statement of the things upon which 
Boston-1915 is now working the following 
diagram has been prepared. This shows 
the subjects handled and the disposition 
made of them. In one or two cases they 
have got no further than reference to a 
committee. In the majority of instances 
the committees have made substantial 
progress. 



ACTIVITIES OF CONFERENCE GROUPS 

PROJECTS CONSIDERED DISPOSITION OF PROJECTS 



CHARITIES AND CORRECTION 

Use of recreation piers for summer sleeping' Referred to Couuiiitlee: 

quarters. Miss Adelene Moffat, Chairman. 

Delays in Court Procedure Keferrcd to Committee: 

William P. Fowler, Chairman; 
J. Mott Hallowell, 

D. Chauncey Brewer, 
William H. O'Brien, 
H. E. Warner. 

Compensation for Industrial Accidents .... Referred to Committee: 

Mr. Charles Logue, Chairman; 
Mr. Arthur M. Huddell, 
Mr. Henry I. Harriman. 

Charity Publicity Committee to act in co-operation with press: 

C. C. Carstens, Chairman; 

E. H. Clement, 

Miss Frances G. Curtis, 
Miss Emma W. Lee, 
Clarence E. Fitzpatrick. 

Civic Building Voted to ask Directors of Boston-1915 to endorse the 

project of a Civic Building. Directors have appointed 
a committee to study situation and make recommenda- 
tions. 

Study of Illegitimacy Sage Foundation and local universities to be asked to take 

this up. 

Supervision of Playgrounds and Parks Referred to Physical Education Association. 

Probation W'ork at Deer Island Referred to Committee: 

Miss Mary VJ. Dcwson, Chairman; 

Edwin Mulready, 

Miss Mary Boyle O'Reilly. 

Out-patient departments on alcoholism and Referred to Health Conference, 
hospital accommodations for venereal dis- 
eases. 

EDUCATION 

Education of Inunigrants Joint-committee of Education and Civic Couferences : 

Seth Sears, 

Philip Davis, 

Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews, 

D. Chauncey Brewer. 

Construi'tion and Location of Schoolhousc-s . Joint-committee Art, Education, Neighborhood Welfare, 

Youth, and Women's Clubs: 
J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr., Chairman; 
Miss Rose Lamb, 
Mrs. Richard C. Cabot, 
John W'. DeBruyn, 
John D. Adams, 
Dr. Melville F. Rogers, 
Miss Lilian V. Robinson, 
Mitchell Freiman, 
Miss Mary P. Follett, 
Mrs. Maria D. Whitcher, 
Mrs. E. S. Goulston. 

58 



ACTIVITIES OF CONFERENCE GROUPS 59 

Art Exhibition Joint-committee Art, Education and Business: 

Arthur Burnham, Chairman; 
Herman D. Murphy, 
Walter B. Russell, 
Alvin E. Dodd, 
Charles M. Cox, 
William Dillon. 

Plan for Exposition in 1915 Endorsed by Conference. 

HEALTH 

Report of Housing Committee Endorsed and sent to Executive Committee of Boston-1915. 

Hygiene of Schoolhouses 

Dr. Cabot's Syllabus of Health Needs in Referred to Executiv'c Committee to determine the most 
Boston. immediate things to be done. 

Travelling Hygiene Exhibit to go through Referred to Executive Committee of this conference with 
Schools. power to act: 

Miss Lillian V. Robinson, 

Miss Isabelle Hyams. 

Plan for Exposition in 1915 Endorsed by conference. 

Lnprovement in collection of birth statistics. Referred to Committee: 

Dr. Richard C. Cabot, Chairman. 

NEIGHBORHOOD WELFARE 

Construction and Location of Schoolhouses. For Committee see above under "Education Conference." 

Correlation of Improvement Associations and Papers presented and discussion taken up at Get Together 
Settlement Houses. Supper by the conference April 8, 1910. 

Neighborhood Needs General discussion of the whole neighborhood situation. 

Mayor Fitzgerald presiding. May 11, 1910. 

FINE AND INDUSTRIAL ARTS 

Saner Fourth Sub-committee co-operating with Saner Fourth Committee 

with special reference to music and pageants. 
Arthur Burnham, 
George P. Baker, 
Miss Charlotte Porter, 
Percy Lee Atherton, 
Henry G. Pickering, 
Emil Mollenhauer. 

Dramatic and Musical Pageant Committee considering plan: 

Arthur Burnham, 
George P. Baker, 
Miss Charlotte Porter. 

More music for the people Committee considering i)lan: 

Percy Lee Atherton, 
Emil Mollenhauer, 
Henry G. Pickering. 

Art Exposition For committee see above under "Education Conference." 

Construction and Location of Schoolhouses . . For committee sec above under "Education'Conference." 

CIVIC 

Billboards Voted to send letter from conference'^and letters as indi- 
viduals to members of Legislature opposing bill now in 
the Senate. Legislature has been circularized. 

Plan for Exposition in 1915 Endorsed by conference. 



60 NEW BOSTON 

Co-ordination of Metropolitan Districts . , . Voted to endorse the principle and refer the matter back 

to the Executive Committee for further action. 

Saner Fourth Sub-committee work in conjunction with Saner Fourth 

Committee. 

Education of Immigrants Joint-committee of Civic and Education Conference. For 

committee see above under "Education Conference." 
Report prepared by Mr. Kelso presented by Mr. Brewer 
and adopted by Directors. 

CITY PLANNING AND HOUSING 

Report of Housing Committee Endorsed report and asked Housing Committee to recom- 
mend action to relieve situation. 

WOMEN'S CLUBS 

Saner Fourth Sub-committee appointed to co-operate with Saner Fourth 

Committee. 

Hygiene of Schoolhouses Referred to Health Conference. 

Construction and Location of Schoolhouses. . For committee sec above under "Education Conference." 

Garbage Disposal Standing Committee to appear at the hearings. 

Legislative Committee 

General survey of needs of the city with To be considered at next meeting of Conference, 
special reference to the part Women's Clubs 
can take in meeting them. 

Plan for Exposition in 1915 Endorsed by conference. 

YOUTH 

Construction and Location of Schoolhouses . . For Committee see above under "Education Conference." 

Boys' Games Conference assumes responsibility. 

Committee : 

George V. Brown, 

Ellery H. Clark, 

Mitchell Freiman, 

Dr. A. E. Garland, 

Dr. Thomas F. Harrington, 

William Rand, 

James B. Connolly. 

Travelling Hygiene Exhibit for Schools Referred to Health Conference. 

Athletics for Children Resolutions voted that more athletic contests, playground 

facilities, etc., be maintained by the city. Approved 
in general by the Mayor. To be handled by Boys' 
Games Committee. 

HOUSING COMMITTEE 

Housing Congestion Considering methods of reform and seeking an agent to 

follow up present conditions. 

CODIFICATION OF HEALTH LAWS COMMITTEE 

Codification of Health Laws Committee in conference with city authorities. 

SANER FOURTH COMMITTEE 

Fourth of July celebration Co-operating with City Hall in planning and carrying out 

a program for July 4th. 



Reception of Housing Committee's Report 



The patient and persevering work of 
a group of Boston's representative citizens, 
organized as the Boston-1915 Housing 
Committee, under the leadership of 
Mr. Phihp Cabot, was given to the pubHc 
a month and more ago. It was fully 
summarized in the May number of this 
magazine, with some illuminating pic- 
tures of the conditions it described. 
Among the friends and members of the 
Boston-1915 movement it has evidently 
awakened keen interest, as evinced by 
the many calls which have come to us 
for its publication in pamphlet form, in 
which shape it is now accessible at our 
office, for the nominal sum of ten cents. 

Its reception by the newspapers of 
Boston and other periodicals is significant 
of its importance and general interest. 

The daily press of Boston without 
exception featured some of the most 
striking phases of the report, and mani- 
fested considerable editorial interest in 
its facts and inferences. One of the first 
points to attract attention, very naturally, 
was the extent to which existing agencies 
for remedying bad conditions are prov- 
ing efficient. The Post, for example, 
declared : 

It has been well understood for some 
time that conditions in Boston's con- 
gested tenement districts were about 
as bad as any in the world. The report 
of the "1915 Housing Committee" would 
indicate, in addition, that they are per- 
mitted to be so in gross violation of law. 
The statutes say certain plain things as to 
water supply and sanitary arrangements. 
To fail to enforce them, even through a 
mistaken idea of sympathy, comes pretty 
near to being criminal negligence. 

The whole great question of building 
congestion in such districts needs prompt 
and vigorous treatment here in Boston — 
such treatment as New York has so intelli- 
gently and effectively been giving it. 
It is high time that this city be rid of the 
disgrace that attaches to her housing of 
the poor. Even tramps at common 
lodging houses, as the 1915 report observes, 
are better protected by legislation. 



But there are some laws, and until the 
greater crusade for decency of living arrives 
they must be enforced to the last letter. 
Congestion of the kind that is almost in- 
evitable is bad enough; "illegitimate 
congestion" is inexcusable. 

The Journal in like strain remarked: 

The report of the housing committee 
of the 1915 movement demonstrates that 
for such unwholesome conditions as are 
permissible under the law there is remedy 
only in a change of statute. For such as 
are due to dishonest, inefficient inspection, 
by the building department or by the 
health department, the remedy is close at 
hand. The laws must be enforced; the 
regulations must be obeyed. Dishonest, 
inefficient inspectors must go. 

The Herald, while recognizing the 
need of further legislation, reiterates 
this call for the better enforcement of 
present laws: 

Reports of conditions in typical blocks 
in the North and West Ends made by the 
Housing Committee of the 1915 movement 
are calculated to arouse public opinion 
to the fact that Boston with its com- 
paratively near spaces of unused ground 
has a menace of congested population 
as serious as that which is recognized in 
New York and other large centres. Ade- 
quate legislation to fully solve this problem 
and remedy all the evil is difficult to attain. 
No hurried action by the Legislature is 
advisable, because certain rights must be 
recognized, whatever is done. But ex- 
isting law can be enforced, and that 
necessitates no delay. More complete 
inspection and more strict enforcement of 
the laws and health regulations which 
now exist would do much to relieve the 
situation reported to exist. That respon- 
sibility does not rest on the lawmakers. 
This would be an excellent opportunity 
for an "order" from the Mayor's office 
to the proper department head to get 
busy and require his subordinates to 
enforce the laws. 

Quite naturally this report received 
extensive notice in papers published in 



61 



62 



NEW BOSTON 



other parts of the state, as well as wher- 
ever the service of the Associated Press 
went. We select one rei)resentative 
utterance on the matter from the 
(lloucc.stcr Times. After recounting some 
of the salient jwints of the report the 
editor says: 

These are the facts of the report. And 
the committee, which is a representative 
one, is agreed that the buihhng of new 
houses will not at all touch the conditions. 
So far as the number of occupants in a 
house is concerned, the health board has 
authority enough now to control the 
situation. Hut any building law which 
shall deal at all effectively with the 
situation must be broad enough to cover 
the whole metropolitan district. And 
some arrangement by which this could 
be securcil would be favored by the com- 
mittee. For when a law touches but 
one district, the manufactures move 
into another which has a good popula- 
tion, the population crowds after the 
factories, and the same or worse con- 
ditions are repeated. The people draw 
the opportunities to work; and in turn 
the opportimities to work draw the people. 
One thing is certain. Such a report 
as this cannot be passed over in silence. 
There are things in it which might easily 
lead one to write a long and searching 
article on The Shame of Boston. It 
is not pleasant to have the South End of 
Boston or wards Six and Eight compared 
and in part unfavorably with the worst 
sections of other big cities here and 
abroad. Moreover, the conditions will 
never be easier to remedy than they are at 
the present time. And if those who are in 
authority can stop playing politics long 
enough, some of their time could pi'ofit- 
ably be g ven to it Boston has its tra- 
ditions, and its fine public spirit. The 
committee has rendered a report which 
will serve, we believe, to revive these. 
And it will not long be true that present 
conditions will give the lie to all that is 
best in the past. 
One of the most pointed and pertinent 
comments on the situation comes from 
the tipring field Republican, as follows: 
Boston's new distinction, according to 
the recent report of the 1915 Housing 
Committee, is one block having 956 resi- 
dents in it, which is equivaent to a popu- 
lation density of 1,138 persons an acre. As 



the houses in that particular block average 
less than four stories in height, there are 
;51() persons per acre in each story, as 
against 304! in the most crowded block in 
New York. Yet the East Side congestion 
in Manhattan has been described as "in- 
famously the worst in the world." What 
does Boston propose to do about it? 

A full review and discussion of this 
report, from the pen of Mr. John S. 
Hodgson, occupies large space in The 
Boston Common for May 14, the view- 
point of the writer appearing in these 
introductory .sentences : 

A significant indication of the mag- 
nitude and complexity of Boston's civic 
problems is furnished by the slight 
amount of public interest evoked by a 
report of the Boston-1915 Housing Com- 
mittee, issued nearly a month ago. The 
report bristles with statements which, 
but for internal evidences of sober and 
saddening reality, might easily be re- 
garded as designedly sensational. As- 
suming that nothing but the overshadow- 
ing importance of other municipal con- 
ditions can account for the relegation 
of the published abstracts of the report 
to the cold shades of neglect, the question 
still remains whether a false sense of 
proportion in the public mind is not 
largely responsible for the observed 
phenomenon. 

For this report, while professedly deal- 
ing with a mere phase of Boston's civic 
life, is really concerned with the gravest 
and most far-reaching prolilems of modern 
sociology. The overcrowding of human 
units on North and West End areas, 
absurdly inadequate for their reception, 
would never have attained the startling 
proportions revealed by this investiga- 
tion but for the abnormal conditions 
entailed by an alien immigration, exceeded 
only in the case of New York City. Thus 
it comes, as stated in the report, that 
the population of the investigated dis- 
tricts increases even more through the 
coming of immigrants than through the 
very high birth rate prevailing airong 
this class. 

We also quote in full the accompany- 
ing editorial utterance of The Boston 
Common: 

The report of the Boston-1915 Housing 
Committee, which is referred to in Mr. 



RECEPTION OF HOUSING COMMITTEE'S REPORT 63 



Hodgson's artic-lo, tells enough uhout 
the conditions of hfe of a large propor- 
tion of the city's people to make plain 
the imperative call for something to be 
done. Though the committees studies 
were limited to a few typical blocks, and 
though there is a seeming lack of con- 
clusion in the report, the document is 
valuable and has not received the atten- 
tion its importance deserves. 

It has been said by those who shovild 
know — by the Building Commissioner, 
for example— that there is "plenty of 
law now to improve things very much if 
not to make them ideal." The trouble is 
in the enforcement; and the chief difficulty 
is, the authorities say, that whenever 
any real enforcement is attempted in- 
fluential property owners raise a clamor 
against "practical confiscation." There is 
less difficulty in the matter of new build- 
ings; the hard proposition is to make 
any improvement on old ones. 

At the same time the recent expert 
report shows some intolerable things 
that certainly cry out for a remedy not 
yet provided. For instance, it is evident 
that Boston is behind other big cities in 
such sanitary requirements as a proper 
allowance of air and space for each indi- 
vidual. Some of the present unwhole- 
some conditions are permissible under 
the existing laws, evidently, and new 
legislation is needed immediately. Then, 
too, something should l)e done to rouse 
in the landlords — many of them absentees, 
unfortunately— a sense of pride and re- 
sponsibility, of sympathy and conunon 
humanity — that now seems to be painfully 
lacking in many cases. 

It may be that the city will have to go 
into the housing business itself before it 
gets a real start in solving this very serious 
problem. European cities have done that 
with moral, social and monetary profit, 
and Boston should be able to find eciual 
success. Anyway, it is time for some- 
body to get busy without further delay. 

This resume of the reception given 
the work of Mr. Cabot and his colleagues 
would be incomplete without presenting 
the views of The Survey, whose editors 
from their watch-tower in New York 
City are so vigilant in observing vari- 
ous achievements for city betterment 
wherever in the United States they may 
occur. We count it a high testimony 



to the value and importance of this 
report that the editors of The Surrey 
secured an illustrated abstract of the 
report as soon as it was made public, 
and in connection with its publication 
made the following editorial mention 
of the matter: 

The report on congestion in the North 
and West ends, by the Housing Com- 
mittee of Boston-1915, lays especial stress 
on the need for well-enforced building 
laws to restrict crowding of buildings on 
land and for vigorous action by health 
officials for Boston and the larger metro- 
politan district to put a stop to over- 
crowding within the houses. Mr. Esta- 
brook, who supervised the investigations 
of the congested areas, in his detailed 
report appended to that of the committee, 
reconunends in addition the careful con- 
sideration of other forms of remedial 
effort, such as educational work with the 
tenants, renovation and modern manage- 
ment of old houses on the plan con- 
ducted by Octavia Hill, city planning, 
workingmen's trains, location of factories 
in the suburbs, changes in taxation, in- 
creasing the supply of apartments and 
houses for families of small incomes 
through building more economically, w th 
greater capital and wholesale buying, and 
protected restrictions, and through co- 
operative banks and co-partnership tenant 
societies and the building of model tene- 
ments yielding a moderate return on the 
capital invested. The report of the gen- 
eral committee also touches upon the 
necessity for providing new housing for 
those moved out of the congested areas. 
We make no apology for the large 
amount of space given to these different 
comments upon this report, which we hope 
and believe will prove to be an epoch- 
making document. It is true that some 
of its startling facts have been gradually 
coming to light during the last few years, 
so that it did not produce the shock 
which would have resulted if all its state- 
ments had been absolutely new; but its 
masterly way of massing these facts 
and the careful verification of all its 
statements have made it a safe foundation 
on which to l)uild a constructive policy 
for Boston and its suburbs which .shall 
remove present faults and incorporate 
new features of satisfactory and lasting 
value. 



ENGLISH REVIEW OF THE HOUSING REPORT 



In its issue of May 13, Surveying and 
the Civil Engineer of London devoted 
its leading editorial to a review of the 
Housing Report, from which we are 
glad to make the following liberal extracts: 

One of the most impressive features of a civic 
exhibition held in the capital city of Massachusetts 
during the summer of 1909 was a reproduction of 
overcrowded and otherwise insanitary "tenement" 
rooms in the northern quarter. The exhibition 
was under the auspices of "IJoston-1915" — a move- 
ment aiming at the realization of certain desirable 
objects within the date named — and the most recent 
etl'ort of its promoters has culminated in a report of 
the housing committee. As if to meet any past 
or prospective objection in regard to last year's 
exhibit, the report expressly states that the four 
blocks of North and West End tenement property 
selected for description were neither the worst 
nor the best at hand, but "typical of the districts 
in which they were located." They are monopolized 
by the large foreign element, with Jews and Italians 
predominating. 

The results of the investigation are of a startling 
character, to none more so, perhaps, than to English 
sanitarians who have been accustomed to identify 
such conditions, at least in part, with the greater 
age of their own country as compared with the 
relative juvenility of American cities, to say nothing 
of the supposed boundless area of the Western 
continent. They remind one, in fact, more of the 
disclosures made in the earlier reports of the 
General Board of Health, written more than sixty 
years ago, than of anything published by English 
authorities within recent memory. Although 
Boston, founded in 1030, did not receive its charter 
of incorporation until 1822, it has become possible, 
as shown in the report, for an area of 103 acres, 
"a piece of land which would be thought small for 
a single country place," to harbour a population of 
44,000 living in rooms of which 16 per cent, are 
without direct light. "More than 20,000 of these 
people live under conditions where they have, in 
bedrooms, less than 400 cubic feet of air per capita. 
That is to say, these 20,000 people are actually 
living below the lowest standard fixed as the niini- 
nmm of any city, in the United States or Europe, 
which has undertaken to establish a minimum, so far 



as we know." And yet, for such accommodation, an 
average weekly rent of 3s. 9d. per room is paid. , 

The Housing Committee are con.strained to 
report that they cannot advise sinking money in 
attempts to solve the housing problem while il- 
legitimate competition by overcrowding is allowed 
to continue. This points, apparentlr^^ to the im- 
possibility of the city or other body deriving a fair 
return in rentals under any system of sanitary 
housing, although it would seem possible that, 
with the necessary improved dwellings in city 
ownership, an otherwise absent impetus might be 
given to the enforcement of existing laws against 
overcrowding. As it is, the committee express the 
belief that much might be done "by sufficient 
money and by a vigorous public opinion"; but they 
do not refer to the limitations on municipal action 
in slum destruction imposed by American "con- 
stitutional" restrictions. So recently as April 11, 
the Supreme Court of Massachusetts has re- 
affirmed the impossibility of a city, in expropriating 
land for a new street, taking any beyond the side 
lines of the proposed thoroughfare, with the object 
of selling suitably shaped building sites, and 
avoiding the creation of relatively valueless rem- 
nants at corners and elsewhere. "It is of no 
consequence," said the Court in its judgment, 
"that the public funds are not to be used for the 
construction of buildings on the land taken. If 
the city could constitutionally pay for land for 
such a use with money from the public treasury, 
it could also pay for buildings to be erected on the 
land." 

To English people, long accustomed to public ex- 
penditures on such objects, this should come as a 
healthy reminder of the advantages of an elastic 
constitution, capable of modification with changing 
eras and conditions, and dependent only upon the 
clearly affirmed will of the people. It is satisfactory 
to note, as some relief from the gloom of this report, 
that the mayor of Boston is pushing all he is worth 
for the establishment of a nmnicipal Zoo and 
aquarium. In a recent speech he said that there 
was no reason why Boston with its population of 
640,000 should not have institutions of that kind 
to equal any in the country. The housing of the 
animals might serve as a salutary object-lesson to 
the corporation. 



64 



CITY PLANNING 



Bv Frederick Law Olmsted 



Extracts from Introductory Address delivered at the Second National Conference on City Planning 
and Congestion of Population at Rochester, New York, May 2, 1910 



The ideal of city planning is one in 
which all city activities — all the plan- 
nings that shape each one of the frag- 
ments that go to make up the physical 
city — shall be so harmonized as to re- 
duce the conflict of purposes and the 
waste of constructive effort to a minimum, 
and thus secure for the people of the city 
conditions adapted to their attaining 
the maximum of productive efficiency, 
of health and of enjoyment of life. 



City Planning may conveniently be 
considered under three main divisions. 

The first concerns the means of cir- 
culation; the distribution and treatment 
of the spaces devoted to streets, railways, 
waterways, and all means of transporta- 
tion and communication. The second 
concerns the distribution and treatment 
of the spaces devoted to all other public 
purposes. The third concerns the re- 
maining or private lands and the char- 
acter of developments thereon, in so far 
as it is practicable for the community 
to control or influence such develop- 
ment. 

Facility of communication is the very 
basis for the existence of cities; improved 
methods of general transportation are 
at the root of the modern phenomenon 
of rapid city growth; and the succees 
of a city is more dependent upon good 
means of circulation than upon any other 
physical factor under its control. 

Moreover the area devoted to streets 
in most cities (excluding those regions 
that are still undeveloped) amounts to 
between twenty-five and forty per cent, 
of the whole, and the improvement and 
use of all the remainder of the city area, 
both in public and in private hands, is 
so largely controlled by the network of 
subdividing and communicating streets 
that the street plan has always been 
regarded as the foundation of all city 
planning. 



It is an interesting consideration that 
most of the street planning in America 
and until recently in Europe has been 
done from the proprietary point of view. 
Nearly all new city and town sites that 
have been deliberately planned, whether 
well or ill, have been planned by or for 
the proprietors of the site, largely with 
a view to successful immediate sales. 
Regard for the remoter interests of the 
community has commonly been dictated 
more by an optimistic opinion of the 
intelligence of prospective purchasers 
than by a disinterested desire to promote 
their future welfare. 



Naturally where the proprietor or his 
agent has been enlightened and wise, 
even with a selfish enlightenment, the 
results have been relatively good for the 
community and where he has been 
short-sighted and ignorant and mean 
in his selfishness the results have been 
bad; but the proprietary point of view 
must have colored and narrowed the 
outlook of the designers throughout. 
Moreover the methods, traditions and 
habits created in this school have in- 
evitably dominated in large measure 
those official street planning agencies 
which the people of some cities have 
subsequently established with the pur- 
pose of exercising a control in the interest 
of the whole community over the street 
layouts of individual proprietors. 

Such agencies, equipped with adequate 
powers and so organized as to have any 
strong initiative and to accomplish im- 
portant results on the general plan of 
the city have been comparatively few 
in this country; but many people whose 
interest in this fundamental aspect of 
city planning has been only recently 
aroused seem to be quite unaware what 
a great amount of long - continued, 
patient, laborious eft'ort has been spent 
and is being spent daily on such work 



65 



66 



NEW BOSTON 



by intelligent and well-intentioned city 
officials. Their hands are often tied 
by lack of adequate power and by lack 
of any supporting public o]jinion; they 
often fail to show that breadth of out- 
look and strength of initiative that would 
be desirable; too often their ideals of 
street planning are formed in a narrow 
school and a bad one; and sometimes 
they are unrighteously influenced by 
speculative and proprietary interests 
against the general w^elfare; but taken 
by and large they are doing the best 
they can to control the street develop- 
ment of their cities wisely. What is 
needed is more power for them, more 
public understanding of their work, and 
the development of a better and broader 
knowledge and appreciation on their 
part of the technique of city planning. 

The long distance and suburban steam 
railroads * * * * divorced them- 
selves from the antiquated methods of 
the street planners but all other improved 
means of transit have been as a rule 
bound hand and foot by them. 

Street-planners whether working for 
cities or for land proprietors have gener- 
ally stuck in the old ruts and have 
failed to attack the problem from the 
railway point of view, while the enter- 
prising men who have developed the 
traction systems have generally felt 
compelled to ask for franchises on exist- 
ing streets. A few exceptions to this 
attitude may be noted. As long ago as 
1877 a plan was prepared for the northern 
wards of the City of New York by Fred- 
erick Law Olmsted and James R. Cross 
which included, in addition to the streets, 
a system of rapid transit routes on 
separate rights-of-way arranged with a 
view to avoiding grade crossing of 
streets. The plan was officially approved 
but was subsequently abandoned. In 
1889 a group of investors under the 
leadership of Henry M. Whitney, operat- 
ing through the West End Street Railway 
and the West End Land Company, 
induced the Town of Brookline, Massa- 
chusetts, to widen the old Beacon Street 
into a new type of thoroughfare, in which, 
along w^th two roadways, footways, a 
bridle path and four rows of trees, was 
included a separate grassed reservation 
for electric cars with infrequent street 
crossings, the whole forming an im- 



portant radial thoroughfare of the 
Boston Metropolitan District. A con- 
siderable number of such broad tree- 
lined radial thoroughfares with electric 
car reservations have since been intro- 
duced into the street plans of certain 
American cities; but such thoroughfares 
as these have generally been the result 
of some special campaign for some 
special purpose, usually to stimulate 
the development of a particular tract 
of suburban property, and are still 
exceptional features of our street system. 



Without more than alluding to the 
immensely important and complex re- 
lations between the railroad freight lines 
and terminals, the wharves, the water- 
ways, the sites for economical ware- 
housing and manufacturing, and the 
street system, I can say in summary 
that there is great need of treating all 
the means of circulation in a city as a 
single connected system, and at the same 
time of recognizing clearly the differentia- 
tion of all its parts, so that each shall 
fit its function amply but without waste, 
from the biggest railroad terminal down 
to the smallest alley. 

The second main division of city plan- 
ning is a very miscellaneous one, includ- 
ing all the public properties in a city not 
used primarily for circulation; but they 
may be grouped for our purposes into 
three principal classes. 

Class A may be called that of central 
institutions, serving the whole city and 
requiring for convenience a comparatively 
central position; such as the city hall 
and the head offices of public depart- 
ments and services, both municipal and 
otherwise, the public library, museums, 
central educational establishments, and 
the like, together with the grounds 
appurtenant to them. * * * * q^^ 
of the greatest needs in regard to all 
matters of this sort is the application 
of intelligent effort to the grouping of 
such institutions at accessible points 
in so-called civic centers for the sake 
of convenience and of increased dignity 
and beauty. 

Class B consists of institutions serv- 
ing limited areas and therefore needing 
to be represented in many different 
places throughout the city. Such are 



CITY PLANNING 



67 



schools, playgrounds, gymnasium and 
baths, branch libraries, branch post 
offices, police stations, fire engine houses, 
district offices and yards of the depart- 
ment of public works and other public 
services, neighborhood parks and rec- 
reation grounds, voting places, public 
and quasi-public halls and social centers, 
and so on, including in the same class 
as far as practicable the local institutions 
conducted by private organizations, such 
as churches. The most notable thing 
al)out this class of institutions is that 
while most of them belong to the city 
and are therefore entirely under the 
city's control as to localities and char- 
acter, the selection of sites is ordinarily 
determined by separate departments 
without the slightest regard to the selec- 
tion of other departments or the pos- 
sibilities of economy, convenience and 
esthetic effect that might result from 
combination or grouping. 



We must come, I believe, to a full 
acceptance of the principle, now well 
established in some of the German states, 
that when any tract of land in or adjoin- 
ing a city is opened up for building pur- 
poses not only the necessary streets must 
be set apart and dedicated to the public 
but also all the other areas that will be 
required to meet properly and liberally, 
but without extravagance, all the pub- 
lic needs of that locality when fully 
occupied, just so far as those needs can 
be foreseen by intelligent and experienced 
men. In no other way can the sites for 
these local institutions be placed so well 
or with so little economic waste. 

Class C of public properties consists 
of many special institutions not demand- 
ing a central location but serving more 
than a local need, such as hospitals, 
charitable and penal institutions, reser- 
voirs and their grounds, large parks and 
outlying reservations, parkways, ceme- 
teries, public monuments and certain 
monumental and decorative features to 
be found in connection with open spaces 
that exist primarily for other purposes. 
In this class the opportunities for 
economy and better effects through 
combination and grouping of sites are 
not so numerous, and what seems to be 
most needed is a more far-sighted regard 



for the relation of each of these important 
institutions to the probable future dis- 
tribution of population and to the main 
transportation routes. 



The third main division of the lands 
within a city, consisting of all that re- 
mains in private ownership, is subject 
to public control chiefly in three ways. 

The street plan absolutely fixes the 
size and shape of the blocks of land and 
hence limits and largely controls the 
size and shape of individual lots and of 
the buildings which can be most profitably 
erected upon them. 

The methods of taxation and assess- 
ment greatly influence the actions of 
land owners, and of those having money 
to invest in land, buildings, or building 
mortgages. They have a direct influence 
upon the speculative holding of un- 
productive property; upon the extent 
to which development is carried on in a 
scattered sporadic manner so as to in- 
volve relatively large expense to the com- 
munity for streets, transportation, sewer- 
age, etc., in proportion to the inhabitants 
served; upon the quality and durability 
of building; and, in those states where 
property is classified and taxed at vary- 
ing rates, upon the class of improve- 
ments favored. 



But the chief means of planning and 
controlling developments on private prop- 
erty is through the exercise of the police 
power. The principle upon which are 
based all building codes, tenement house 
laws and other such interferences with 
the exercise of free individual discretion 
on the part of land owners, is that no one 
may be permitted so to build or other- 
wise conduct himself upon his own 
property as to cause unreasonable danger 
or annoyance to other people. At what 
point danger or annoyance becomes 
unreasonable is a matter of gradually 
shifting public opinion interpreted by the 
Courts. 

The first object of building codes and 
of the system of building permits and 
inspections through which they are en- 
forced is to ensure proper structural 
stability. A second object is to reduce 
the danger of fire to a reasonable point. 



68 



NEW BOSTON 



A third object is to guard against 
conditions unreasonably dangerous to 
health. 

* * * * An examination of the 
building codes and tenement house laws 
of thirty-five American cities shows a 
confusing diversity in the regulation 
limiting building heights and horizontal 
spaces to be left open, and there are some 
cities in which there is practically no 
effective regulation at all. For wooden 
buildings the limit, where any limit is 
set, varies from 30 to 60 feet; for other 
non-fireproof buildings from 60 to 100 
feet, for fireproof buildings from 125 to 
260 feet; or in the case of regulations 
dependent on the width of the street 
the limit of height varies from the same 
as the width of street to 2 1-4 times the 
width of the street. 

* * * * j^j.^ arbitrary limitation 
to a given height or given number of 
stories accompanied by an arbitrary 
limitation on the percentage of lot to 
be occupied by building if applied to a 
whole city is obviously crude and unfair 
in its working. At one end of the line 
it might unduly hamper commercial 
developments of a desirable sort and yet 
in the outlying districts permit the con- 
struction of tenement houses with a 
lower standard of light and air than 
might reasonably be exacted. The dis- 
trict system is a great improvement 
upon such a uniform system, yet even 
within a district it is very doubtful 
whether an arbitrary height limitation 
is the best requirement. My own im- 
pression is that the most promising 
principle would be to establish for each 
district some reasonable relation be- 
tween the maximum height of any part 
of a new building and its distance from 
the next opposite building land not con- 
trolled by the same owner, whether across 
a street or in the rear, and also a relation 
between the maximum height of any part 
of a new building and the distance to 
the next opposite wall of a building (if 
any) upon land controlled by the same 
owner. This would permit erecting a 



building to any height whatsoever pro- 
vided a sufficient area were kept free to 
prevent undue interference with light 
and air. 



I have outlined in a fragmentary sort 
of way the three main divisions of city 
planning, dealing respectively with the 
lands devoted to the means of public 
circulation, the lands devoted to other 
public purposes and the lands in private 
ownership. 

Within all of those divisions the actual 
work of city planning comprises the fol- 
lowing steps: a study of conditions and 
tendencies, a definition of purposes, a 
planning of physical results suitable to 
these purposes, and finally the bringing 
of those plans to execution through suit- 
able legal and administrative machinery. 
Every one of those steps of progression 
is vital, every part of the three main 
divisions of the field is important. 



In all I have said you have noticed 
the absence of any reference to beauty 
in city planning; that is because I want 
in closing to emphasize the relation which 
it bears to every phase of the subject 
from beginning to end. 

The demands of beauty are in large 
measure identical with those of efficiency 
and economy and dift'er merely in re- 
quiring a closer approach to practical 
jjerfection in the adaptation of means 
to ends than is required to meet the 
merely economic standard. So far as 
the demands of beauty can be distin- 
guished from those of economy the kind 
of beauty most to be sought in the 
planning of cities is that which results 
from seizing instinctively with a keen 
and sensitive appreciation the limitless 
opportunities which present themselves 
in the course of the most rigorously 
practical solution of any problem for a 
choice between decisions of substan- 
tially equal economic merit but of widely 
differing esthetic quality. 



THE CASE AGAINST "LOOSE" MILK 

By Charlotte Kimball Kruesi 



The Indictment: Bacteriologic exam- 
ination of iinbottled — store or dip tank — 
milk in Boston during 1908-09 showed 
that 56.59 per cent of it had more than 
500,000 bacteria in a cubic centimeter, 
which is the legal standard. Examina- 
tion of bottled milk showed that 91.49 
per cent had less than 500,000. 

"No doubt," continues the Milk In- 
spector in his latest official Report to 
the Board of Health after analyzing in 
detail the tables from which these figures 
are compiled, "the use of shop milk has 
not been without disastrous results to 
humanity." The figures "prove con- 
clusively that this milk is of the worst 

type obtainable Every effort 

should be made to discourage the sale 
of shop milk." 

The Sentence: A regulation enacted 
by the Board of Health, providing that 
on and after January 1, 1910, "no person 
or corporation shall sell, or offer, or ex- 
pose or keep for sale in any shop, store 
or other place where goods and mer- 
chandise are sold, milk or cream, unless 
the same is sold, or offered, exposed and 
kept for sale in tightly closed or capped 
bottles or receptacles which have been 
approved by the Board of Health. 

"Nothing contained herein shall pre- 
vent the sale of milk or cream from cans, 
crocks, coolers or other receptacles in 
restaurants or hotels, when the milk 
or cream is to be consimied in the restau- 
rant or hotel by guests or patrons order- 
ing the same." 

If the regulation had gone into effect, 
Boston would have been lifted, in this 
detail of Boston-1915 progress, into the 
class of Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Milwaukee and more than twenty other 
American cities. 

Why has the case been reopened.'* Be- 
cause two or three milk contractors who 
have no bottling apparatus pleaded in 
July, 1909, for fair play and more time 
in which to equip their plants. In Sep- 
tember they asked for a second j)ost- 
ponement and secured it. In January 
of this year they secured another on the 
same demand for fair play and more time. 



But they have not spent the intervals 
in putting in the equipment which had 
been ordered for the protection of life. 
Instead, they have organized a move- 
ment which is aimed at nothing less than 
the destruction of the ordinance. They 
are now using the time gained by yet 
another postponement, from May 1 
until June 15, in an attempt to kill the 
regulation outright. 

To fortify the Board of Health figures, 
and to offer proofs, selections from a 
mass of testimony and endorsements too 
bulky to be presented in this space are 
submitted herewith. They are from 
Boston people who have observed the 
behavior of milk in the laboratory, the 
corner grocery, the home and the baby's 
bottle, and from Health Boards of Ameri- 
can cities which have been questioned 
by the Milk and Baby Hygiene Associa- 
tion. 

Dr. Milton J. Rosenau, Professor of 
Preventive Medicine at Harvard, writes: 

"It has been shown that 'store' milk contains 
on the average many more bacteria than any other 
milk found on the market. The studies that have 
been made in New York, Washington and else- 
where corroborate these findings that 'store' milk 
contains the most dirt, the largest number of bac- 
teria, and is of the poorest quality. The investi- 
gations of the United States government show 
that milk kept loose for sale in stores is apt to be 
contaminated from the fingers of those who dip 
it, and from the drippings from the household 
utensils, in the process of dipping and pouring. 
Loose milk is also subject to contamination from 
flies, dust and other sources. If there is a case of 
typhoid fever, diphtheria, or scarlet fever, or other 
contagious disease in the family of the storekeeper 
or the customer, such loose milk is very apt to 
become infected and thus become a serious menace 
to the neighborhood depending on it for supply. 
Milk sold in the original containers relieves the 
storekeeper of responsibility that properly belongs 
to the contractor or producer. When the milk is 
bottled, the inspectors are able to fix the responsi- 
bility for any contamination more quickly and 
directly than at present. A very large proportion 
of the poorer population of the city depend upon 
store milk for their babies. This class of people 



69 



70 



NEW BOSTON 



need protection so that they may obtain milk that 
is clean, safe and reliable." 

Professors C. E. A. Winslow and S. C. 
Prescott of the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology say that their own in- 
vestigations leave no doubt that loose 
milk sold in stores is the worst in the 
city. 

Dr. John Lovett Morse, Chairman of 
the Milk Commission of the Suffolk 
District Medical Society, writes: 

"To stop the sale of loose milk will save the 
lives of thousands of babies. Thousands of poor 
babies are treated in our hospitals during the 
summer as a result of drinking bad milk such as I 
have described. If it were not for these babies 
there would be very few patients during the sum- 
mer, and the Floating Hospital would be unneces- 
sary." 

Mr. E. H. Warren says: 

"As a trustee of the Boston Dispensary and of 
the Floating Hospital, I appeal for the enforcement 
of this regulation to save many babies from having 
to go to any hospital." 

John M. Connolly, Medical Director 
of the Milk and Baby Hygiene Associa- 
tion, speaks forcibly: 



"I know that of the 18,750 babies born in Boston 
last year, 2,12i^ have died. I know that fully 
half of these deaths could have been prevented, 
and perhaps more than half. I know that the 
chief cause of these preventable deaths was dirty 
milk. I know that fully one-half the milk sold 
in the 3,800 stores licensed to sell milk in bulk 
in Boston is found by the milk inspector to be 
dirtier than the legal bacterial standard. 

"Purchasers should accustom themselves to 
obtain their milk from other sources. Dependence 
upon shop milk can be viewed only as a dangerous 
convenience. Physicians should not countenance 
its employment as food for either the young or 
invalids. In fact, it has been said of this type 
of milk that it is unfit for any purpose. 

"Behring, in Germany, finds that of every 1,000 
children born alive 235 die during the first year 
of life. Only 510 out of every 1,000 males born 
attain manhood. Not more than one-third of 
those reaching maturity are found to be fit for 
military service. These sad facts he attributes 
very largely to the ulterior effects of infection 
derived in infancy from bad milk. 

"It certainly is a great pity that in our city on 
issues the most vital, on matters the gravest, there 
should be allowed to enter an ignorance the most 
narrow, an interest the most selfish." 

Miss Martha Stark, Superintendent 




A TYPICAL "LOOSE" RETAIL MILK STORE WHERE "LOOSE" MILK IS SOLD 
The customers' pail is held over the dip-tank so that any overflow or drippings will wash back into the tank. The 
grocer may have wiped his thumb on his apron before putting it inside the pail. If this customer came early she 
got more than her share of cream. If she came late she got the bottom of the can. In Boston the dip-tank is 
required to be kept in an ice box. Many such stores have no water, few or none have scalding hot water to wash 

the tank and dipper. 



THE CASE AGAINST "LOOSE" MILK 



71 



of the Instructive District Nursing As- 
sociation, says: "We do not allow per- 
sons who become sick and are under our 
care to have loose milk." 

Mrs. Philip Davis, a Russian Jewish 
citizen, living on Salem Street, describing 
difficulties in the North End, says: 

"Here we are crowded away in the most con- 
gested part of the city, with insufficient fresh air 
and every disadvantage. Go out in the streets and 
nearly every child you meet has crooked legs and 
pale, waxy cheeks. If there is a part of this city 
where the milk should be sold in bottles under 
the very best conditions, it is right down here, but 
at present our situation is the worst in the city. 

"Finally as for the milk itself, you know we only 
pay six cents a quart for milk down here. I could 
never understand this, so one time I went right 
to a big dealer about it, and he explained that what 
we get down here is left over milk. That is, after 
all the first milk has been bottled and sent out to 
the bottle dealers, there is a certain amount left 
in the tanks. This is poured into big cans and sent, 
sometimes a day later, to the small dealers who 
handle it in bulk." 

Endorsement of the regulation has 
been given by the Milk and Baby Hy- 
giene Association, the Retail Grocers As- 
sociation (1,500 members), the Women's 
Municipal League (2,300 members) the 
United Improvement Associations (4,000 
members) and the Boston Chamber of 
Commerce. 

Petitions for the abolition of the dip 
tank, signed by a large number of the 
men who are now selling from the dip 
tanks and by hundreds of persons who 
buy milk from stores as well as letters 
from physicians, have been sent to the 
Board of Health. 

The Health Boards of 280 cities were 
asked for opinions and procedure con- 
cerning loose milk and here is a summary 
of the first 59 replies: 

To the query: "Do you permit the 
sale of loose milk in shops or stores?" 
twenty-five reply. No. 

Thirty-four reply. Yes. 

"Would you like to see such sales 
stopped?" Twenty-nine of the 34 say 
that they would, five not replying. 

"Has the prohibition of dip tank milk 
(except in restaurants) entailed any 
hardships or unfortunate results?" 

Eighteen of the 25 say that no hard- 
ships, so far as they know, have followed 



the prohibition nor have complaints been 
laid before them. Seven do not answer 
this question. 

"Has it raised the price of milk?" 

Three reply that their ordinances are 
just going into effect and that they do not 
know. 14 say that it has not raised the 
price, 6 not replying. Two say that the 
price was raised. Cincinnati writes that 
the bottling ordinance did increase the 
price although not as much as it in- 
creased the quality and value, and 
confesses to a sense of "surprise that 
staid Boston contemplates a return to 
old methods," and sends us "best wishes 
in the fight for a pure article." 

Among the 34 cities which permit the 
sale of loose milk, 27 emphatically con- 
demn it. Toledo, Newark, Schenectady, 
Kalamazoo, New Haven, Bridgeport, 
Providence, Camden, N. J., Pittsfield, 
New Orleans, Northampton, Oakland 
and Berkeley, California, express strong 
hopes of soon preventing it. 

The Salt Lake City Commissioner 
writes : 

"One of the greatest sources of contamination 
in our milk supply comes from dipping of milk in 
grocery stores, and we sincerely hope for your 
success." 

Dr. Lederle, Commissioner of Health 
of New York City writes: "Personally I 
should like to see all milk sold in sealed 
containers." 

Who must finally settle the milk ques- 
tions? Shall the decision be referred 
back to the farm or the contractor's 
depots whenever the personal profits 
gained through the private control of a 
public utility like milk, seem about to be 
affected by the decisions of the Health 
Board? Ought it to be possible to trans- 
fer decisions on practical, clean methods 
from the laboratory to the politician's 
lobby where the settling of the question 
becomes a party asset? 

In the present confused situation, and 
luitil it is straightened out by a thorough 
socialization of the milk market, the 
final court ought to be technical experts, 
a Board of Health beyond which pro- 
ducer, dealer, or poHtician cannot go 
as long as its conclusions are based upon 
irrefutable evidence like that of which 
only a partial and condensed summary 
is given here. 



ROCHESTER CONFERENCE ON CITY PLANNING 



By Flavel ShurtlefF, Esq. 

Secretary of the Conference 



The meeting at Rochester was only 
the second annual session of the youngest 
of American Conferences, but the vitality 
of the interest manifested was amazing. 
Conventions are no longer new in the 
United States, but the crowds go for 
the trip, for the chance to see new sights. 
Here was a small body of very busy men, 
many of whom left their professional 
interests in the busiest season of the 
year to spend three days in entire de- 
votion to the discussion of the details 




FLAVEL SHURTLEFF, ESQ. 

of a new science. Some of them were 
city planners and their keen interest is 
not so surprising, but the city engineers 
of three of the country's greatest cities 
were there; architects of national repu- 
tation, specialists in city problems, men 
of affairs prominent in city life, gave 
their time and thought to the success 
of the conference. 

The spirit of the humble searcher for 
truth pervaded the deliberations. Al- 
though the men gathered there had been 



students of civic problems for years, 
and would be expected to speak with 
authority, it was clear during the first 
day's discussion that the path of city 
planning was but dimly lighted, and 
that if the stage of groping were past, not 
yet was the way for the heedless. And 
in this discovery lay perhaps the greatest 
achievement of the conference. The first 
conference which was held at Washing- 
ton summoned men of genuine interest 
in city-planning work, and when the ses- 
sions were over and the experts had de- 
parted, they left behind many papers 
which rang varied changes on the neces- 
sity of better ordered cities, and pointed 
out what was being done or left undone 
in their respective cities. That con- 
ference did not attempt to define aims, 
did not point the way, did not cut or 
prune. The conference of 1910 boldly 
tackled the problem of defining the rela- 
tive value of some portions of the great 
field, and in its efforts to find the true 
way there was manifest that deep 
humility and real desire for the truth 
which prompted acknowledged experts 
in several fields to admit they had but 
made a beginning. 

But this clearing of the atmosphere, 
this defining with more precision the 
proper line of approach to the subject, 
was not the only notable result of the 
conference. There were valuable specific 
contributions to the science of city 
planning. The scholarly presentation of 
the entire subject by Prof. Frederick L. 
Olmsted was the most able and authori- 
tative analysis which has yet been 
offered, at least in America if not in the 
English language. The range of the 
field, its wide possibilities, its specific 
subdivisions, were presented in a masterly 
manner. The papers which followed 
were of great value, not so much for the 
dogmatic principles set down which must 
be followed by the city planner, as for 
the fertility of suggestion, the indication 
of the lines of study which nuist be pur- 
sued before principles could be marked 
out. 



72 



ROCHESTER CONEERENCE ON CITY PLANNING 



/o 



There was without exception an avoid- 
ance of European examples and prece- 
dents in town planning, and this was good. 
Too much effort has been wasted on 
studies of European methods which abso- 
lutely cannot in any considerable degree 
be adopted under our system of govern- 
ment. Articles on town planning abroad, 
on German and French systems of 
acquiring land for the public use, on 
municipal house ownership are interest- 
ing reading, but practical only so far as 
adaptable, or as furnishing educational 
propaganda with a view to a possible 
broadening of the powers of the state and 
municipality, and a consequent sub- 
merging of the rights of individual prop- 
erty owners. The thanks of the con- 
ference and of all those interested in the 
immediate progress of city planning in 
the United States is due to the wisdom 
of the Executive Committee, which elimi- 
nated papers on continental methods. 

There was much of peculiarly local 
interest to Bostonians who have followed 
the developments consequent on the 
planning of a highway from the North 
to the South Station. This projected 
thoroughfare was found to leave many 
lots of irregular shape unsuited for 
buildings of fit character, and it was 
proposed to extend an already existing 
principle found in the Acts of 1904, 
known as "The Remnant Law," and 
allow the city to take on each side of 
the proposed highway more land than 
was necessary. This plan would take 
care of the difficulty of irregular lots and 
incidentally would allow the city to re- 
coup some of the expense of the improve- 
ment by a re-sale of the land taken. But 
our state Supreme Court in response to 
an inquiry from the lower house stepped 
in with a unanimous opinion that such 
procedure was unconstitutional, and ap- 
pealed to again, this time by the Senate, 
with a differently worded inquiry which 
contained, however, the same principle, 
the opinion was unchanged. Mr. Craw- 
ford's paper on excess condemnation was 
an able and exhaustive review of the 
principle embodied in the proposed legis- 
lation which has been declared uncon- 
stitutional by our state court, a principle 
imported from the continent and England 
and made the subject of a careful study 
by a Massachusetts Commission, which 



reported in 1904. The speaker found a 
distinction between an excess taking for 
purposes of protecting an existing park- 
way, which is allowed by recent Pennsyl- 
vania legislation, and excess taking merely 
for purposes of recoupment, but con- 
fessed that in both the underlying aim 
was at recoupment. 

The Massachusetts method of vaulting 
the constitutional bar which has been 
interposed by the Supreme Court is to 
take down the bar. Our legislators have 
become so enamored of the European de- 
vice that a constitutional amendment has 
been started on its two-years' journey. 
In view of the technical legal difficulties 
in the way, the risks attending specula- 
tion in land values, the questionable 
results where the experiment has been 
tried, the known fondness of juries to 
assess at an outrageous premium land 
values in condemnation proceedings, other 
suggestions which were brought out at 
the conference should be weighed well. 

For the last four or five years the policy 
of New York City in making extensive 
improvements has been to assess the 
entire cost of the improvement on the 
benefited area, the limits of which are 
determined by the Board of Estimate and 
Apportionment whose decision is final. 
The value of land and buildings taken 
and the damage to what is left is deter- 
mined; the amount of assessment for 
benefit is subtracted, the result is what 
is handed over to the property owner. 
Considering only the city's purse, can 
there be any comparison between the 
effectiveness of this method and the 
Boston method of paying the property 
owner his entire damage, and then be- 
ginning a long and expensive suit to 
collect an assessment which in any event 
can bring back to the city's treasury 
only one-half of the cost of the improve- 
ment, and which actually does bring 
back scarcely more than a tenth? 

The principle of excess taking is justi- 
fied on the theory that the community 
should have the increment of value which 
results from its own expenditure. An 
improvement paid for by the city in- 
creases in value Smith's hokling thirty 
per cent, fifty per cent, or what not. 
Smith would resent being considered an 
object of charity, but why should he be 
the sole gainer by his fellow-townsmen's 



74 



NEW BOSTON 



generosity? The new English Town 
Planning Act of 1909 says that he 
shouldn't, in a provision which gives one- 
half the increased value caused by a 
betterment scheme to the municipality. 
The next few years will show the working 
value of this plan, since English towns are 
keen to go ahead under the new act. 

If there could be any doubt of the 
value of the conference as a clearing- 
house of ideas, or of the vital interest 
in the subject, one need only to have 
glanced at the animated groups around 
the tables at Hotel Seneca. The planners 
of many cities gave and got suggestive 
ideas. Brilliant theory was subjected 
to the practical analysis of those well 
versed in the difficulties of administra- 
tion in the average American city. The 
thought of a long day's continuous session 
ahead did not prevent an exchange of 
views or a discussion of a moot point 
which often lasted well past midnight. 
It is not surprising that such evidence 



of enthusiastic interest made a deep im- 
pression on the hospitable citizens of 
Rochester. Dr. Rush Rhees, President 
of the University of Rochester, spoke for 
the city when he said: "That so significant 
a body of men is convinced of the value 
and importance of intelligent foresight 
in city development is in itself a great 
contribution to the general acceptance 
of the importance of an intelligent plan. 
The subjects discussed by this con- 
ference have done much to rid our people 
of the notion that the desire for an in- 
telligent plan for the city's development 
is simply the fad of a group of aesthetic 
persons. I am confident that although 
few of our citizens could attend the meet- 
ings of the conference, yet the presence 
here of our eminent visitors and the 
reports of their discussion in our papers 
must have contributed significantly to 
the development of intelligent public 
spirit and a desire for wise planning in 
connection with our future growth." 



UNDERMINING DRUNKENNESS 



By Robert A. Woods 



Massachusetts has taken a suggestive 
and promising step toward reducing its 
very great total of drunkenness, with its 
appalling toll upon civic and economic 
budgets. The family trade in liquors 
is to be separated absolutely from the 
saloon. The sale of liquor by the bottle 
or pitcher is clearly false in principle. 
This was the strongest and by itself, 
for many, the sufficient argument for 
the new law. That the man already 
under the influence of liquor should have 
every facility for getting into his pos- 
session a supply properly designed for 
occasional personal use or for the use 
on one occasion of several persons, is 
to offer every encouragement to the 
gross and prolonged debauch. That a 
woman, a mother of a family, should 
be allowed and encouraged to sacrifice 
her self-respect by going into a saloon 
for the family supply of liquor, is a 
downright inducement] to her to pro- 
ceed further in the loss of self-respect 



by over-indulging in this family supply 
before it ever reaches the family table. 

Strong though the bill was on its face, 
the case for it had to be worked up with 
unusual thoroughness, on account of the 
unfiagging and versatile character of the 
opposition. It was shown by police 
testimony from more than twenty sec- 
tions of Greater Boston that drunken- 
ness was seriously bound up with the 
pocket flask which is the universal staple 
of the saloon bottle trade. The ex- 
perience of Worcester, where the single 
license system has existed for a dozen 
years, and of Boston itself, where the 
double license system has been in force 
only since 1886, was presented in sta- 
tistics which could hardly have been 
more convincing. 

The contention of the liquor interests 
that it was of no consequence simply 
to compel a man to step out of the saloon 
and go a'][short distance to another place 
for his bottle, was answered so effectively 



THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT 



75 



as to close the incident. The man already 
partly under the influence of liquor, as is 
well known, becomes more so when he goes 
into a change of air and temperature. 
The passers-by in the street see his con- 
dition. The wholesaler will not risk 
his license by admitting him. There 
is an automatic check here analogous in 
principle to the cash register. 

The cause was as thoroughly organized 
as the case, and it was strongly pro- 
moted by two new factors in the move- 
ment for temperance,— many of the 
strongest employers of the state, and 
practically all of the social workers. 
Organizations of workingmen were suffi- 
ciently impressed by the bill to be un- 
moved by efforts to bring them into 
the opposing ranks. 

This unusual and invincible synthesis 
came about because the measure was 
distinctly apart from any interference 
with the personal liberty of the citizen, 
or even from a movement to attack the 
liquor business as such. It simply pro- 
posed a readjustment of the form of 
administration pursued by a public- 
service corporation, so to speak, acting 
under public franchise. The time came 
when the public felt that it would be 
better served by a change in method. 

Of course this law will involve a cut 
down of perhaps three-fourths in the 



more than eight hundred centers from 
which liquor can at present be dispensed 
in quantity, and a diminution by pos- 
sibly one-fourth in the number of sa- 
loons. But here again the service of 
the liquor supply is being modified so 
as to bring it more accurately in pro- 
portion Avith legitimate needs, and the 
dominating welfare of the community, 
which can give or withhold the liquor 
franchise. 

The supporters of the bill were not 
averse to a reasonable delay before the 
law should go into effect. They did 
oppose most strenuously the amend- 
ment providing for delay introduced in 
the last legislative stages, because as 
a parliamentary device it was designed 
to wreck the bill. 

The intervening year can be, and w411 
be, used to good effect by borrowing 
some of the methods of Boston-1915 in 
a very practical temperance propaganda, 
having various forms, timed to come to 
a head May 1, 1911, when the new bill 
goes fully into effect. 

This new law will introduce into the 
lay-out of the better city which Boston- 
1915 is leading up to, a cleansed and re- 
modelled saloon, which will not be the 
least unique and compelling exhibit to 
which Boston may venture to invite 
the attention of the nation. 



THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT 



One of the primary purposes of Boston- 
1915 has been to enlist in the active 
service of the city the spare time of the 
many thousands of residents who are 
interested in the betterment of Boston, 
but whose business or occupation makes 
it impossible -for them to devote any 
great part of their time to it. There 
is need for all the assistance that anyone 
can give. It is possible to combine the 
limited amounts of time of large numbers 
of people in such a way as to bring them 
to bear effectively upon certain obvious 
needs. Two or three hours a week from 
ten thousand people is a very substantial 
contribution to a city's resources of 
public spirit. It is possible through our 



Volunteer Department to make these 
small contributions of time and energy 
effective by placing them at the disposal 
of organizations whose work is of such 
a nature that they can use them. 

About twenty-seven organizations have 
indicated that they can use volunteers. 
They include such institutions as the 
Associated Charities, various clubs, the 
Young Men's Christian Association, the 
Young ]Men's Christian Union, parents' 
associations, settlements and neighbor- 
hood houses, the Consumers' League, 
various industrial schools, girls' clubs, 
the Milk and Baby Hygiene Association, 
hospitals and other medical institutions, 
and the \'ocation Bureau. 



76 



NEW BOSTON 



There is a demand for almost every 
kind of work. Bostonl915 itself can 
use volunteer investigators in connection 
with its Housing Committee. Many 
organizations want trained investigators, 
and men and women who have had ex- 
perience in research. Inspection of 
factories, tailoring establishments, and 
bakeries, of streets, alleys and tenements, 
research work as to wages and standards 
of living, conditions of employment of 
children, vital statistics of infants, etc., 
have been asked for. Visiting needy 
families, delinquent boys, wayward girls, 
sick persons and the aged, under careful 
supervision of trained philanthropic 
workers, will require any number of 
volunteers. One organization wants a 
volunteer to carry flowers around the 
neighborhood once a week. Competent 
medical advisers are constantly in de- 
mand. Volunteer nurses to take care of 
the sick in their homes, and to investi- 
gate the conditions of the home in cases 
of sickness are also needed. There is 
a demand for persons to teach the care 
of babies and children to mothers in their 
homes and to give hygienic talks and 
instructions in club. Free legal advice 
is wanted in two places. There is an 
unlimited demand for teachers to give 
instruction in English, French, civil 
service, nature study, industrial subjects, 
chair making, brass work, basketry, 
clay modeling, housekeeping, cooking, 
sewing, carpet weaving, shirtwaist mak- 
ing, stencil work, leather work, etc. 
Some institutions want people who will 
give lessons in dancing, music, games and 
dramatics. Experienced kindergartners 
are also wanted. Many settlements and 
clubs can use any kind of entertainment — 
dramatic, musical and dancing. Ex- 
perienced athletes are asked for in several 
places. Many organizations, including 
Boston-1915, have a great demand for 
speakers and lecturers. Some places 
want courses of practical talks. Press 
work can also be used. Clerical work is 
considerably in demand and even manual 
labor, such as cleaning, gardening, tree 
planting, and sewing, is needed. Several 
organizations want people for general 
mingling and companionship with girls 
and boys, to help with excursion parties 
in summer, and such things. 



Of course experienced workers in these 
lines are more useful at first, but we have 
made it a requirement of all organizations 
who avail themselves of our Volunteer 
Department that they shall maintain 
expert training and supervision over the 
volunteers which we send. Some of 
them arrange regular courses of study 
and lectures for their volunteers. Out 
of this the volunteer gets a first hand 
acquaintance, both theoretical and prac- 
tical, with the city's needs and the best 
ways to meet them. 

No one therefore should hesitate to 
volunteer on the ground of lack of ac- 
quaintance with the work needed. That 
may, in fact, be a distinct advantage. In 
the experience of many organizations an 
untrained but willing worker is of far 
more value than the one whose habits are 
set, who is unwilling to accept new ideas 
and methods, or is inclined to be critical 
and censorious. 

On the other hand, our organizations 
have requested that only those volun- 
teers be sent to them who can give 
satisfactory references as to their honesty, 
willingness to learn, ability to work with 
other people, etc. As this is never any 
hardship whatever, and is an advantage 
in weeding out the inevitable cranks who 
are bound to appear, we have made it a 
practice to ask for such references either 
to our directors or other responsible 
persons. This protects the volunteer as 
well as the organizations and ourselves. 

There is no limit to the number of 
volunteers who can be used. We could 
place five thousand today as well as we 
can fifty. The existence of this depart- 
ment is a test of the civic interest of 
Boston. It is easy to talk, and it is al- 
most as easy to contribute a dollar. The 
dollar helps a little bit, the talk hardly 
at all. The essential thing both for the 
citizen and the city is active, personal 
work; and when the opportunity of 
utilizing even the three or four hours a 
week that everyone can spare is oftered 
there is no valid excuse for failure to 
take advantage of it. Among the readers 
of this magazine there are surely five 
thousand who can give this amount of 
time and if their interest in Boston is 
genuine we shall expect to hear from 
them. 



Report on the Status of the Alien Element in the 
Elementary Day Schools of Boston 



Prepared for the Civic and Education Conferences by 

ROBERT W. KELSO 

Acting General Secretary of the North American Civic League for Immigrants 



The last available school statistics 
show that there are in the sixty-five 
elementary day schools of Boston about 
eighty-three thousand children. 

Less than one-quarter of the people of 
Boston are of native antecedents, and, 
since the alien element tends to gather 
into old world nuclei, at least 36 out of 
these 65 schools have a distinctly alien 
body of children. Careful investigation 
reveals the fact that though there are 
about 53,000 children gathered into these 
36 schools, there are probably not above 
5,000 children in the entire list whose 
parents were native born Americans, — 
that is, less than one-tenth. The other 
nine-tenths are drawn from 28 to 30 dis- 
tinct races, mostly Slavic and Iberic. 

Some of these alien schools have be- 
come so completely foreign in character 
that an American child of American 
parentage is a curiosity. Thus in the 
four large districts of the North and 
West Ends — the Hancock, the Eliot, the 
Washington and the Wells, there were, 
when recently investigated, not more 
than 200 American children. The total 
enrollment in those four districts being 
8,935, the proportion is, therefore, less 
than one in every fifty. 

The alien children in these schools are 
sorted and graded as are the children of 
native stock; but their inadaptability 
soon shows itself, and the aliens who 
cannot be tucked in anywhere, who do 
not fit anything, and who cannot be 
taught alongside of any of their graded 
fellows, go into what is known as the un- 
graded class. They go there because 
they are utterly alien to everything 
American and especially to our method 
and manner of teaching. All that can 
be done with them is to set them off in 
groups by themselves under the care, if 
possible, of the most expert and re- 
sourceful teacher that can be found, in 
the hope of moulding them finally into 



condition for the regular grades; or if 
not that — and the result is not that — 
of giving them at least that scintilla of 
training required by the compulsory 
school law. In the four large schools of 
the North and West Ends there are 24f 
of these ungraded classes with an enroll- 
ment of 876 pupils, and so closely is 
their condition related to their misfit 
standing in the school that the various 
groups are frankly styled "the steamer 
classes." There are not more than 20 
or 25 American children of native stock 
in the whole number. These ungraded 
children are mentioned here by way of 
showing the difficulty of bending the 
alien child to our course of study and our 
method of teaching. They constitute 
the physical manifestation of a diflS- 
culty in adaptability that runs through 
all the alien element in our schools. 

Careful investigation by means of 
personal interviews among the workers 
who are handling these fifty odd thousand 
alien children shows unanimous opinion 
to the effect: 

First: That as conditions now are, it 
is very difficult to secure a teacher com- 
petent to handle the ungraded class. 
These classes are infinitely more difficult 
than the regular grades, inasmuch as 
each pupil is a class by himself and re- 
quires his own peculiar method of mental 
approach. There is a tendency among 
teachers, therefore, to prefer the regular 
grade work, and the best of them are 
usually able to get it. As a consequence 
there is a danger that the less experienced 
teacher may be in charge of the ungraded. 

Second: That teaching the alien child, 
especially as he is found in the "steamer 
class," requires a person of infinite 
resource, the admitted fact being that 
the ungraded class teacher is by the pres- 
ent course of study left largely to his own 
devices with these little foreigners. It 
is a fortunate circumstance that in spite 



77 



78 



NEW BOSTON 



of the tendency to desert the difficult 
"steamer class," there are several of these 
phenomenal teachers at work among 
the ungraded in the "alien" schools. 

Third: That the alien child almost 
never remains in school beyond that age 
when the law allows him to go to work. 
The age of departure is 14, yet the age 
at which he comes into the school is 
frequently above 10. The average in 
the ungraded classes is 11. The result 
is that the ungraded alien has but a short 
time to stay in our schools, and all that 
he carries away must be acquired within 
those two or three or five years. 

Fourth: That the way the alien child 
is taught is scientific only as the indi- 
vidual teacher makes it so. That is to 
say, the problem of educating the child 
who is foreign to American ideas, and 
who for the most part is densely ignorant 
of his native tongue, has not yet been 
looked upon in the aggregate as a problem 
demanding special attention. 

Fifth: These are children destined to 
an imminent industrial future. There 
is no exception to this statement, the 
rule applies to ten out of every ten in 
the entire throng. There is every op- 
portunity so to direct what is done for 
them in their short stay in school as to 
make it of immediate assistance. For 
instance, the child who can write a letter 
is of far greater value in his home than 
the child who can write sentences merely 
or can repeat a verse. And the child 
who can count up what ought to be the 
right change out of the money handed 
over the counter to the retail tradesman 
is of real economic worth to his parents. 

Summarizing the opinion of those who 
have spent many years of their lives 
working every school day among these 
children, and adding thereto the experi- 
ence of settlement workers in their 
schools, it is believed that: 

First: There should be a special officer 
under the authority of the School Com- 
mittee whose business it shall be to 
oversee, administer and supervise the 
teaching of the new alien children. 
He should be an expert, a man of large 
calibre, for he must be in truth the com- 
mander-in-chief of those forces that 
engage in the struggle of Americanizing 
the alien. 

Second: This officer should be author- 



ized to institute a provisional course of 
study for aliens which should take 
accounts of facts: 

1. That the alien child has not 
behind him that American setting 
which is presupposed by our present 
curriculum, and 

2. That the alien remains in 
our schools a much shorter time 
than the native child, since he fre- 
quently begins later and almost 
without exception departs as soon 
as the law allows — somewhere in the 
seventh grade he vanishes. 

Account should be taken of these two 
fundamental considerations : 

First: By devising special methods of 
planting English ideas in these alien 
heads, by more scientific text work, and 
teaching without text, and 

Second: By instituting thorough 
manual training for the alien. We have 
manual training, cooking, sewing, sloyd, 
etc., but it is the higher grade that secures 
the benefit. Moreover, the ungraded 
class pupil and the child who never goes 
above elementary schooling do not 
learn, as a rule, the four elements of 
arithmetic: do not acquire the intelli- 
gent writing of English. He should 
learn how to write letters for his parents — 
there should be an economic value to 
his training. He should be at least 
started in the direction of a trade. The 
need for these aliens is concentrated 
industrial training in connection with 
language teaching. 

Third: By instituting such a system 
of social visitors, or such other well-ad- 
vised means, in connection with the 
district nurse and the truant officer, as 
may under the specific local conditions 
yield benefit in inciting the interest and 
ambition of the parent — a prime neces- 
sity in the Americanizing process. Such 
activity would in the opinion of teachers 
and expert social workers tend to lessen 
the breach between parent and child and 
serve to correct the erroneous conceptions 
of our American institutions now so fre- 
quently entertained by the parents of 
these children; and 

Fourth: There should be special normal 
training for those who are to become 
teachers of the alien children. This is a 
needful component of any adequate 
system for dealing with the problem. 



ATHLETICS FOR YOUTH 



Planning for the Summer Games of 1910 



Gen. George W. Wingate of New York, 
President of the Public School Athletic 
League, together with Mayor Fitzgerald, 
was the guest of the Boston-1915 Youth 
Conference at a dinner at the City Club 
on May 5th. Gen. Wingate came here 
by our invitation to explain the purposes 
and the working of the League of which 
he is President. He said in part : 

"It is curious to note how comparatively few 
there are even in New York who know about the 
league or what it has accomplished. The news 
in respect to it is usually published in the sporting 
columns of the newspapers, which the most in- 
fluential classes of the community never read. In 
consequence few are aware that, although but six 
years old, the league has become probably one of 
the largest athletic organizations of the world. 

"All new movements, especially of a public and 
philanthropic character, usually meet with con- 
siderable criticism and many disheartening draw- 
backs when first started. But our league has 
experienced few — almost none — of these. From 
its inception to the present time it has always re- 
ceived a kindly word and a helping hand from 
the school authorities, the children, the press and 
the public. 

"The best test of its work is that New Orleans, 
Baltimore, Seattle, Newark, Troy, Buffalo, Cleve- 
land, Birmingham, Ala., Tacoma, San Francisco, 
Kansas City, possibly Oakland and Helena, have 
organized a public schools league on the model 
of our own in New York. 

"Immediately after the organization of the 
league, and although there had been no oppor- 
tunity of actually doing any work among the school- 
boys, we decided that we would take the risk of 
holding an athletic meeting at Madison Square 
Garden on December 26, 1903, for the piu'pose 
of bringing the matter before the public. The 
meeting was a magnificent success. 

"Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt is our hon- 
orary vice-president. 

"Many valuable prizes have been offered for 
competition in the different events by our friends. 

"Of these prizes a number are 'championship 
trophies' which are held for a year by the school 
which wins them, and the contest for the posses- 
sion of which excites great interest among the dif- 
ferent schools. While the individual and team 
contests are very valuable in stimulating interest 



in^athletics, the league is more desirous of raising 
the standard of the mass of the boys. 

"For this purpose it has established a 'button' 
on the line of the 'marksman's badge,' used in the 
army, and in the National Guard, which it offers to 
each boy who annually passes a certain simple 
standard of 'chinning' on a bar, running and jump- 
ing. Last year 7049 buttons were given. 

"Before the New York Public School Athletic 
League was started, the boys were twenty to fifty 
per cent, below standard in physique, with little 
idea of honor or square dealing and school pride. 

"Now the pupils of all schools in New York are 
stronger physically, mentally and morally. 

"Formerly streets were so crowded that only 
'grave' space was offered each child as a play- 
ground, and the children of the poor not only had 
only a miserable physical development, but had 
lost all knowledge of how to play. 

"Morals deteriorated more than the bodies, so 
that the boys of the streets formed gangs and 
drifted into all sorts of vicious practices. 

"In eliminating to a large degree this startling 
condition, the league has accomplished a wonderful 
work among the 625,000 and more school children 
in New York. 

"If you will undertake this work in Boston it 
is certain to become as extensive and valuable and 
prominent as it has in the city of New York That 
it will be enthusiastically received by the boys 
is self-evident. It will be also equally appreciated 
by their parents, who desire that their sons shall 
grow up to be manly, strong boys, and their 
daughters healthy and active." 

At the conclusion of Mr. Wingate's 
address Mayor Fitzgerald in a short and 
informal speech expressed his keen in- 
terest in this side of the city problem. 
He touched on the present inadequacy 
of playground and baseball facilities for 
high schools. He believes that Sunday 
baseball on playgrounds is soon to be- 
come an issue, and expressed his willing- 
ness to take whatever steps were neces- 
sary to secure authorization for Sunday 
use. He also suggested that some effort 
should be made to secure the use of the 
State Armories for athletic events as 
in New York. He has in mind flying 
horses for the playgrounds as one of the 
possibilities for the amu.sement of young 



79 



80 



NEW BOSTON 



people. He also says that portable 
bungalows will be erected for the com- 
fort of people using these playgrounds. 
And in conclusion His Honor reiterated 
his desire to co-operate in his official 
capacity in every way with this Con- 
ference. 

Dr. A. E. Garland laid before the Con- 
ference the following resolutions, which 
were adopted: 

Resolved, That it be the sense of this meeting, 
that in the face of the facts presented and the 
needs of concerted action for the good of the 
children and boys of the city of Boston; 

Be it resolved. That we petition the proper city 
authorities: 

1st, To establish a series of group contests in 
baseball, athletics, gymnastics and calisthenics. 
That prizes be awarded the winning teams. That 
individual prizes be awarded the best all-round 
performers where it seems advisable. 

2nd, That the playgrounds, gymnasiums and 
baths of the city be so conducted that this will 
tend toward the accomplishment of these results. 

3rd, That all the work undertaken shall culmi- 
nate in the great united field days of all the groups 
and institutions in the city doing work for youths. 



4th, That because of the great loss of life from 
drowning accidents, a special effort be made, 
through paid and volunteer leaders, to teach every 
boy and girl in the city of Boston how to swim. 

5th, That the city be asked to appropriate a 
suflBcient sum to establish and carry forward this 
work. 

6th, That steps be taken to secure the use of 
the armories for the use of the winter sports. 

Since this meeting a committee has 
been appointed to supervise the summer 
games and to prepare and carry out some 
comprehensive plan for athletics in Boston 
schools. This committee consists of: 

Mr. George V. Brown, Boston Athletic Asso- 
ciation. 

Mr. Ellery H. Clark, the famous athlete. 

Mr. James B. Connolly, athlete and journalist. 

Mr. Mitchell Freiman of the West End House. 

Dr. A. E. Garland, Supervisor of Physical 
Training for the Y. M. C. A. 

Dr. Thomas F. Harrington, Director School 
Hygiene. 

Mr. William Rand, who made a mark in college 
athletics. 

This committee is now actively at work. 



BILLBOARD LEGISLATION 



At a meeting of the Boston-1915 Civic 
Conference, held May 13, Mr, Edward 
T. Hartman, of the Massachusetts Civic 
League, presented the subject of bill- 
board legislation, summarizing the steps 
that had been taken to mitigate the evil 
and showing the present state of the law. 
He called attention to the fact that a bill 
has been introduced in the interest of 
violators of the present law, abridging the 
rights of the public to stop such viola- 
tion on their own initiative, and lodging 
this right exclusively in town and city 
authorities. Knowing well the difficulty 
with which these authorities are induced 
to act it is felt advisable to defeat this 
bill if possible. In this behalf the con- 
ference ordered a letter to be sent to 
each member of the Legislature and 
requested that all who are interested 
write personally to their senators and 
representatives urging the defeat of the 



proposed bill. The letter sent to the 
Legislature is as follows: 

BOSTON-1915 CIVIC CONFERENCE 

THE PROPOSED SIGN BOARD LEGISLATION 

In the Revised Laws, Chapter 52, 
Sections 1 and 2, provision is made that all 
streets and ways shall be properly marked; 
in the same chapter. Section 3, a penalty 
is imposed for failure to properly mark 
such ways; and in Chapter 208, Section 
78, penalties are imposed for destroying 
such signs. This seems thoroughly to 
cover the needs of the people. 

On the other hand, Chapter 208, Section 
115, provides that advertising material 
posted without written permission is a 
public nuisance and may be abated by 
any one. A few public-spirited citizens 
have acted under this power, and their 
action has aroused antagonism. In the 
Berkshire Hills in particular, it has been 



CONGEvSTTON IN NEW YORK CITY 



81 



the custom of certain hotels and garage 
owners to place their advertising signs 
on the public sign boards, in some in- 
stances tearing off the public sign and 
substituting their own in its place. Every- 
where fences, trees, posts and bridges may 
be seen plastered over with such signs. 

Through Senate Bill No. 46 an effort was 
made by these people to make it possible 
to post signs containing information of use 
to the public "or other information." Ad- 
vertisements are information, and under 
this bill could have been posted. Public 
sentiment was so manifestly against this 
that the matter was dropped and the effort 
is now being centered in taking away from 
citizens the right to remove illegal adver- 
tising. Of course, a sign may be illegally 
posted by anyone, and unless he is caught 
in the act it remains where posted until 
the elements destroy it, unless some one 
sees fit to take it down. Official action 
against such signs under the law is prac- 
tically unheard of. Officials under the 
present law have the right to take such 
action. The proposed change is to 
place the power of taking down such signs 
in the hands of officials. What it will add 
to the present powers or what recourse 
it will give the people remains yet to be 
demonstrated. It is strongly to be hoped, 
therefore, that members of the General 
Court may feel disposed to leave the 
law as it now stands, so that there may 
be some method of securing the removal 
of signs that is not too cumbersome and 
that does not promise to be absolutely 
inoperative. 

(Signed) William Sumner Appleton, 

Chairman Civic Conference 
Boston-1915. 
May 13, 1910. 



This conference includes the following 
organizations : 

American Peace Society. 
Boston City Club. 

Boston Equal Suffrage Association for Good Gov- 
ernment. 
Boston Home and School Association. 
City History Club of Boston. 
City Point Woman Suffrage League. 
Civic Club of Ward 19. 
Economic Club of Boston. 

German-American Alliance of Boston and Vicinity. 
Immigration Restriction League. 
Massachusetts Civic League. 
Massachusetts Direct Legislation League. 
Massachusetts Association Opposed to the Further 

Extension of Suffrage to Women. 
Massachusetts Reform Club. 
Massachusetts Single Tax League. 
New England Civic Federation. 
North American Civic League for Immigrants. 
Public Franchise League. 
Twentieth Century Club. 
Women's Auxiliary of the Massachusetts Civil 

Service Reform Association. 
Blackinton School Parents' Association. 
Bowditch-Agassiz Parents' Association. 
Chapman Parents' League. 
Emerson Parents' Association. 

Francis Parkman Parents' Association. 

Hamilton Branch, Boston Home and School Asso- 
ciation. 

Lowell Parents' Association. 

Lyman Parents' Association. 

Hugh O'Brien Parents' Association. 

Prince Parents' Association. 

Robert Gould Shaw Parents' Association. 

Sherwin Hyde Parents' Association. 

West Roxbury Parents' Association. 

Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Daughters of the Revolution of Massachusetts. 

Daughters of Veterans, U. S. A. 

Joint Advisory Committee on Co-operation in Pa- 
triotic Work. 

Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

Society for the Preservation of New England An- 
tiquities. 

Sons of the Revolution, Commonwealth of Massa- 
chusetts. 

Women's Relief Corps, Department of Massachu- 
setts. 



CONGESTION IN NEW YORK CITY 



The Housing Committee of Boston- 
1915 found that in the blocks investi- 
gated each tenement-dweller had an 
average of about 350 cubic feet of air 
space — the same amount required for 
tramps in ordinary lodging houses. In 
presenting the reasons for a committee 
on congestion in New York City, Frank 
J. Goodnow says in The Survey that "no 



one claims that 190 square feet of super- 
ficial floor area is adequate space for 
a growing family, or that 400 cubic feet 
of space for an adult is sufficient in New 
York tenements. Cleveland, Rochester, 
New Orleans, Los Angeles and Denver 
require from 500 to 700 cubic feet and 
hygienists generally agree that 800 cubic 
feet is not too much. Finally, transit ex- 



82 



NEW BOSTON 



perts agree that overloading the hand with 
buildings multiplying the ground areas 
ten to twenty fold is creating problems 
with which no transit company has yet 
been able to cope successfully." 

Mr. Goodnow presents an argument 
for establishing a committee on con- 
gestion in New York City. He says that 
a number of interests are concerned 
with conditions of congestion, from whcih 
many derive an enormous profit. "To 
preserve justice between the various 
conflicting interests that would be affected 
by a reversal of our present policy of 
city growth, the most careful study needs 
to be given to the exact effect of all mea- 
sures which might be suggested." 

After a thorough investigation into 
causes he recommends an inquiry into 
the best remedies. A commission could 
take up this cpiestion, he believes, with 
the official backing "which no private 
organization or no private committee 
can ever have in democracy. It is not 
the intention that such a commission 
should supersede or in any way interfere 
with the authority of the present city 
officials, but that an unpaid commission, 
appointed by the mayor and composed 
of at least one alderman from each of the 
boroughs and of exi)erts in real estate, 
commerce, manufacturing, architecture, 
hygiene, law and civic conditions should 
make the study and embody its decisions 
in recommendations or in legislation." 

Mr. Goodnow believes that a com- 
mission such as proposed could secure 
the co-operation of New Yorkers much 
better than a private organization, and 
that at the same time its conclusions 
would have more weight. A new duty 



he would give to such a body in dealing 
with the financial condition of the city 
"and the present method of financing 
the city's improvements and make a 
most minute study of the relation of the 
present systems of taxation and adminis- 
tration to the problems of congestion." 
On May 12 the Mayor appointed the 
following as members of a commission 
for New York : 

From Manhattan: — Jacob A. Cantor of 25 Broad 
Street, former Borough President of Manhattan; 
Frank J. Goodnow, 46 Riverside Drive, professor 
of administrative law in Columbia University and 
Chairman of the Committee on Congestion of 
Population in New York; Allan Robinson, 165 
Broadway, President of the Allied Real Estate 
Interests of New York; and Clement J. Driscoll, 
President of the East Side Pure Milk League and 
President of the Council of the local School Board. 

From other boroughs: — James J. Flynn, 338 
Eleventh Street, Brooklyn, Vice-President of the 
International Metal Polishers' Union, Chairman of 
the Committee on Tuberculosis of the Central 
Labor Union of Brooklyn and member of their 
Committee on Immigration and on Legislation, and 
has been in the labor movement for twenty-five 
years; Gilbert Elliot, -t-l Court Street, Brooklyn, 
Vice-President of the Brooklyn League, and Presi- 
dent of the Allied Subway Association; Charles 
Schaeffer, Jr., 461 Tremont Avenue, Borough of 
the Bronx, engineer and architect, member of the 
North Side Board of Trade; John Adikes, 37 Broad- 
way, Jamaica, Borough of Queens, merchant and 
manufacturer; Russell Bleecker, Prospect Avenue, 
New Brighton, S. I., Borough of Richmond, mer- 
chant. 

Secretary of the Commission: Benjamin C. 
Marsh, Executive Secretary of the Committee on 
Congestion of Population in New York. 

Aldermanic members of the Commission: From 
Manhattan — Alderman Louis Wender, Jr., Edwin 
W. Bohmer, Tristam B. Johnson; from Brooklyn — 
Aldermen James E. Campbell and Stephen Calla- 
han from the Bronx — Aldermen James Hamilton 
and James J. Mulhearn; from Queens — Aldermen 
Alexander Dujat and W. Avigustus Shipley; and 
from Richmond, Alderman William Fink. 



TEACHING THRIFT 



The Old Age Pension Commission 
recommended that there shall be a com- 
pulsory teaching of thrift in the public 
schools of the Commonwealth; and the 
Insurance Committee of the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature has recently re- 
ported favorably a bill for the compul- 
sory teaching of thrift in the public 
schools of the Commonwealth. There 
is no better way to interest the pupils 
of our high schools in thrift than by 
informing them about the advantages 



of Savings Bank Insurance. As various 
penny-savings schemes have been estab- 
lished in our elementary schools, the next 
logical step will be the establishment of 
agencies for Savings Bank Insurance in our 
high schools. Our public school teachers 
are willing to co-operate, and the coming 
year will doubtless see many addresses 
given on Savings Bank Insurance to the 
scholars of our high schools; such an 
address has recently been given at the 
Whitman high school. 



PROGRESS OF SAVINGS BANK INSURANCE 

Harry W. Kimball 



The Massachusetts Savings Insurance 
League, which has in charge the educa- 
tional side of the Savings Bank Life 
Insurance movement, has recently 
strengthened its organization by an 
Advisory Board. This Advisory Board 
includes some fifty representative busi- 
ness men of Boston and vicinity. Among 
those who have given permission for 
the use of their names upon this Board 
are Henry Abrahams, of the Boston Cen- 
tral Labor Union; Ex-Governor John L. 
Bates; Professor John Graham Brooks; 
Mr. E. A. Filene; Franklin W. Hobbs, 
Treasurer of the Arlington Mills; Rt. 
Rev. William Lawrence, Bishop of Massa- 
chusetts ; James Logan, Mayor of Worces- 
ter; Most Rev. W. H. O'Connell, Bishop 
of Boston; Bernard J. Roth well, of the 
Chamber of Commerce; George Wiggles- 
worth; Daniel G. Wing, of the First 
National Bank. 

The League has also recently adopted 
an amended constitution, in which the 
purpose of the League is set forth in 
these words: — 

"The object of the League is to in- 
culcate the virtues of thrift and fore- 
sight and the spirit of self-help among 
the working people of Massachusetts, 
especially by bringing to their attention 
the advantages of securing life insur- 
ance and old age annuities at actual 
cost." 



The movement for Savings Bank In- 
surance is steadily progressing through- 
out the Commonwealth. In the last 
few weeks new agencies have been 
established in the F. B. Holmes Co., 
Chelsea; the New England Confec- 
tionery Co., Boston; the Stetson Shoe 
Company, South Weymouth; D. Whiting 
& Sons, Charlestown; Framingham Shoe 
Co., South Framingham; Forbes Litho- 
graph Co., Chelsea; and the J. B. Blood 
Company, Lynn. Numerous other agen- 
cies have been established in smaller 
industries. 



The Typothetae of Boston have from 
the beginning been very much interested 
in this movement for Savings Bank In- 
surance and the employees of a large 
number of the printing firms of the City 
have taken out policies. In the report 
which the Typothetae will make this 
month at the National Federation at 
Washington is this paragraph in regard 
to its work for Savings Bank Insurance: 

"In philanthropic endeavor our Ty- 
pothetae has shown creditable activity. 
Taking advantage of the recent Massa- 
chusetts legislation instituting savings 
bank insurance, Boston Typothetae es- 
tablished an Agency and during the past 
year over $100,000 of life insurance has 
been issued to employees of our members, 
at a premium considerably less than 
obtainable through regular companies. 
At our last meeting it was voted to extend 
the privileges of the Typothetae agency 
to all printers and employees of allied 
trades within our jurisdiction. Our Mr. 
Gilson has supervision of this work and is 
in truth an insurance agent par excellence." 



The savings banks of the Common- 
wealth have until recently been some- 
what indifferent to this movement for 
Savings Bank Insurance. Their atti- 
tude has been simply to wait and see 
what the results are in the two savings 
banks who have already insurance de- 
partments, but within the last two or 
three months the savings banks have 
shown a new interest in this movement. 
The Beverly Savings Bank has written 
to the Whitman Savings Bank offering 
to become an agency for Savings Bank 
Insurance; the Cambridge Savings Bank 
has recently appointed a committee to 
investigate the subject and consider open- 
ing an insurance department; the Cape 
Ann Five Cents Savings Bank has recently 
appointed a committee to consider the 
advisability of becoming an agency and 
also the desirability of opening an in- 
surance department. 



83 



TREE PLANTING IN DENVER 



One of the interesting developments 
of the movement for beautifying Den- 
ver is reported in a recent number of 
Municipal Facts. By the courtesy of its 
publishers we reproduce two illustrations 
of tree distribution and quote from the 
account of the day's celebration. 

Young shade trees to the number of 17,174 
were given away by the city to citizens on last 



This season the requests for trees exceeded the 
supply by several thousand. But as the appropria- 
tion made last January by the Council for the 
purchase of trees was not to exceed $5,000, only the 
number of trees that this amount would buy at the 
market price could be obtained. 

For ten days prior to "Tree" day the public 
was informed through the various weekly and 
daily papers that persons desiring trees to plant 




A DISTRIBUTIXG STATION 



Saturday, and at last accounts practically all had 
been planted and were doing well. 

The distribution of free trees is an annual cus- 
tom in Denver The idea originated during Mayor 
Speer's first term five years ago, and has been such 
a success that many other cities have copied the 
plan and pronounced it a municipal undertaking 
worth while. 

That it is each year growing more popular is 
evidenced by the increasing demand for these 
trees, and the prompt manner in which the recipeints 
put them into the ground and cultivate them. 



for shade purposes could obtain them, each person 
who applied being entitled to three trees, by securing 
an order signed by the Maj'or or some member of 
the Council either by personal application to the 
officials or to the Mayor's secretary. Col. Irby. 

The Forestry Department of the city has kept 
careful check on the progress of the free trees 
planted yearly since the inception of Tree Day in 
1906. Of the first year's crop 60 per cent, flourished 
and are now furnishing shade. Lack of knowledge 
on the matter of tree planting and carelessness in 



84 



TREE PLANTING IN DENVER 



85 



looking after the young trees caused the 40 per cent, 
loss, but as the people became educated on the 
subject and began to follow the instruction of the 
Forestry Department the losses decreased steadily 
each year. The second year 70 per cent, of the 
number planted grew and thrived, the following 
year the amount was 75 [per cent, and last year it 
was 82 per cent. 

This season's batch of trees had exceptionally 
fine roots and were so well taken care of beforehand 
that nothing except lack of attention can prevent 
the percentage of results reaching 90, according 



to an estimate made late this week by the Forestry 
Department after making a tour of the city. 

Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City are among 
the cities that have adopted the municipal tree 
donation plan originated by Denver and the sub- 
ject is attracting the attention of many other cities 
who have made inquiries about it and promise 
shortly to take it up. 

Tree Day proved such a success in 1910 that no 
doubt the people will urge a larger appropriation 
for the purchase of trees the forthcoming year, so 
that shade without cost for the present and future 
generations can be made even more extensive. 




CARRYIXG THE TREES HOME 



DALLAS WORKS FOR A CITY PLAN 



Early in February the Dallas News, 
through a series of articles on city 
planning, aroused hearty interest in this 
subject, which has resulted in definite 
work being laid out. J. Horace McFar- 
land, president of the American Civic 
Association, came from Harrisburg, Penn- 
sylvania, and addressed the Chamber 
of Commerce on a Crusade Against 
Ugliness. From the interest aroused 



by the newspapers and Mr. McFarland's 
lecture, the City Council was made ap- 
proachable. A City Plan Commission 
made a tentative promise to pay the 
preliminary expenses of the work, and 
when the next city budget is made up 
on June 1, it is expected that enough 
money will be appropriated to pay the 
expenses of employing a city plan ex- 
pert . 



86 



NEW BOSTON 



Notes from the Wide Field 



To Set You Thinking 



The members of the Chamber of Com- 
merce have put themselves on record 
as favoring the recommendations of 
its committee on the prevention of 
disease and accident — regarding tuber- 
culosis among employes. The committee 
recommended that chamber members 
assume the expense of boarding tuber- 
culosis employes at Rutland, or some 
other hospital. The Chamber also voted 
to favor the passage of a law authoriz- 
ing the State Board of Health to make 
reasonable regulations for the protection 
of the public health in regard to the 
supply and sale of milk; advocated a 
reorganization of the present Boston 
Board of Health, and approved the recom- 
mendation that the governor request 
the State Board of Health to make an 
investigation of the methods of preven- 
tive work in tuberculosis and to recom- 
mend comprehensive plans for carrying 
on such work. 

The Chamber has adopted a scheme for 
a representative assembly of members with 
a view to enable the entire membership 
to get in close touch with the organiza- 
tion's work. This new body is to be 
called the Chamber of Commerce As- 
sembly. It will be composed of three 
delegates elected by each of fifty or 
sixty groups into which the entire 
membership will be divided, on the same 
general principle by which the group 
conferences of Boston-1915 are organized. 
This assembly, which will meet every 
two weeks at luncheon, will provide a 
clearing house where subjects of interest 
to the trades and professions represented 
may have free discussion. In this way 
the entire membership will have an op- 
portunity to take a larger share in the 
work of the Chamber. 



The writer recently met a man who 
is general manager of a large concern. 
He seemed to feel that advertising is 
a mystery, although he is convinced that 
there is power in it because there have 
been so many successes made by the 
use of publicity. 

He seemed surprised when told that 
advertising his business or any other 
business needs only simple, common- 
sense reasoning, beginning where his 
products really are on sale — telling the 
people in that community the merits 
of the goods, where they can be bought — 
what they cost — and how to identify 
them; ever remembering that it is the 
repeat-sale that makes continued growth 
of business. It indicates satisfied cus- 
tomers from whom come a voluntary 
indorsement of the goods that is of in- 
estimable value. These repeat -sales 
steadily increase as long as the quality 
is maintained, market kept open and 
the advertising followed persistently. 

He was shown a recent letter we re- 
ceived referring to a second year's adver- 
tising effort: 

"Our increase in the year just closed 
over the previous one might be con- 
sidered phenomenal, and I know that 
some people who are interested do not 
think I can make another increase this 
coming year to compare with that, but 
I honestly expect to beat it." 

Then he asked, "You don't believe in 
exclusive agency?" 

"No! Why should you limit the outlet 
for your goods when everybody is your 
customer and you have goods of merit 
and printers' ink to tell the consumer 
about them? The exclusive agency was 
good enough when you could only jnish 
your goods out of the dealer's store, but 
now by advertising judiciously you can 
add to that yushuuj-force the pulling- 
poiver of consumer-demand, and that 
requires conditions that permit of the 
widest possible distribution of your 
goods." 

A. W. ELLIS AGENCY, 
10 High Street, Boston, Mass. 



NEW BOSTON 



87 



With its April issue the Chamber of 
Commerce Journal became Advance New 
England. The foreword of the April 
number states the magazine's purpose 
remains the same — "to further the prog- 
ress of New England and aid in building 
up its industries and business. It will 
still be 'devoted to the commerce, in- 
dustry and public interests of Boston 
and New England.' In the opinion of 
the publicity committee, the title, Ad- 
vance New England, suggested by the 
motto of the Commonwealth of Australia, 
better typifies that purpose than did 
the somewhat cumbrous and not entirely 
accurate older title, especially as this 
publication aims to be something more 
than merely the official organ of the 
Chamber." 



The Wage Earners Insurance Com- 
mittee of the Chamber, in conjunction 
with the General Insurance Guaranty 
Fund, has voted to favor the appoint- 
ment of Mr. Bliss, Mr. Brandeis, of the 
Savings Insurance League, and Judge 
Reed, of the guaranty fund trustees, as 
an advisory committee to confer with 
the field secretary of the Massachusetts 
Savings Insurance League, and to re- 
ceive his reports. The committee is 
formulating plans to secure a better 
organization of the savings bank insur- 
ance. 



Charles H. Perry 

ADVERTISING 

SYSTEM 

4a Irvington Street ^Hu"^'"" 
'"^'Ts'^oriackBay Bostoo, Mass. 



Souvenir Post Cards 

and all kinds of 

Colored Lithographs 

including book illustrations and 

Posters, Letterheads, 
Envelopes, Cards, Etc. 

Publishers of 

Automobile Road Maps, 

City Maps, 

Guides and Atlases 

Map Catalogue, Free on Request 

Walker Lith. & Pub. Co. 

Walker Studio Building 
400 NEWBURY ST., BOSTON, MASS. 



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Typewriting 



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88 



NEW BOSTON 



PRESCRIBING FOR 

*'MR. NEW ENGLAND 

BUSINESS" 



Portions of an address by E. J. Ridgway before 

the Boston Chamber of Commerce and 

the Pilgrim Publicity Association 

What's the meaning of this "1015" 
movement? What's the matter with you 
folks? 

Step up here, Mr. New England 
Business, and stick out your tongue. 
You look husky to me, but you must 
be sick if you think you are. 

Ah, tongue not bad — rather small for 
so big a man — you don't talk enough — 
arrested development — Sprechen Sie — 
Parlez Vous — talk — see? 

Let me feel your pulse — strong, very 
strong, but painfully deliberate. Sit 
down over there and tell me about your- 
self. First of all, who sent you to me? 

"The advertising agents." 

Now tell me about your family his- 
tory. 

"Plenty of traditions!" Well, that's 
good in the shape of bedsteads and rock- 
ing-chairs and memories, but you can't 
run a business on tradition. Business is 
traditioning your goods for the other 
fellow's gold. 

What are your symptoms? 

"You have a pain in your insides that 
moves round in the same track." 

That looks a bit serious. 

How is your appetite? "Always hun- 
gry"? 

What's the next symptom? 

"An occasional weakness of the heart." 

Yes, I know — heredititis, caused by 
handing on the business to young men 
in the same family. There may be an 
occasional business with this complaint; 
but hundreds grow under the system, 
and it's a beautiful sight — a great house 
coming down through the years, spread- 
ing and prospering like the Lawrences 
and the Cheneys. When you see the 
opposite, find out in what shape the 
business was handed on. Ten to one 
you are expecting the son to do what the 
father could not have done. 

Mr. New England Business, there is 
not enough in any or all of these symp- 
toms to make you feel sick. And when 
I consider what you have accomplished; 
how wonderfully you have preserved 
your prestige; how on cottons, woolens, 
papers, boots, shoes, lamps, print goods, 



The New England 

News Company 

93-101 Arch Street 

BOSTON 



Wholesale Distributors of 



AlltNew-^Up-to-Date 



Stationery 

Fancy Goods 



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an( 



Books 



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POSSE 

GYMNASIUM 

206 Mass. Ave., Boston 

draining School Department 

Two years' course for teachers of 
physical training and athletics. 

Massage Department 

Courses of two years, one year, and 
special private course with hospital 
work. 

Gymnasium Department 

Classes for men, women and children 
in all forms of gymnastics and athletics. 



ADDRESS 

REGISTRAR, Posse Gymnasium 



NEW BOSTON 



89 



W^ 



DAME, STODDARD CO. 
Fishing Tackle 

'"E have every requisite for Salmon, Trout, Bass and all kinds of fishing: including 
Leonard Rods, Forrest's Flies, vom Hofe's Reels, Bray Fly Books, etc. We have 
Steel Rods from $1.50 to $10.00 each; Split Bamboo Rods from $1.00 to $50.00 each. Our 
line of high-grade tackle is most complete, and we also have a very strong line of medium and 
lower price goods. ^ . . 

RODS AND ALL OTHER KINDS OF TACKLE REPAIRED 

Also a Complete Line of Cutlery and Photographic Goods 

374 WASHINGTON STREET, opposite Bromfield 

Catalogue on application 



clocks, hardware, jewelry, hats, much 
of all the stuff that goes into the 
everyday life of everyday people — 
when I consider how you yet hold the 
premiership against all the rest of 
America, if not the world, I feel like 
as king you to prescribe for me. But 
as you have come to me, I must, like 
an honest doctor, be disagreeable if 
necessary, and, possibly like a good 
doctor, I may put my finger on the trouble 
where the patient least suspects it. 

Mr. New England Business, your 
trouble, if you have any, is in your head. 
You've got too much sense; you reason 
too well; you think too much; you are 
cursed with the futility of figures; you 
sit here trying to figure the end before 
you start, which is right, of course; but 
when you have made your figures, when 
you realize that all is not well, when 
you know that your splendid prestige 
is threatened — instead of the daring 
that carried your fathers over unknown 
seas to unknown worlds, instead of the 



daring that is carrying your blood broth- 
ers in the great South and West to crown- 
ing achievement, some of you sit here 
figuring. 

While all the rest of the country is 
moving forward with colossal strides, 
here some of you sit with all kinds of 
money and all kinds of nerve, and little 
daring, toying with a figure puzzle while 
the sky is full of signs. First thing you 
know, the rest of the country will go 
off and leave you sitting on your Ply- 
mouth Rock listening to the wild waves 
saying, "Oh, where is 1113^ wandering 
business tonight.^" 

Where are the sons of that race of 
dreamers who handed down free re- 
ligion, a free ballot, free schools and a 
free press? That race of nation-builders 
who sent their money and their blood 
to develop the mines and railroads and 
granaries of the great West? That 
rugged race whose staunch ships ad- 
ventured every sea, whose sturdy mer- 
chantmen traded in every port? There 




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PHOTOGRAPHY 

1214 Beacon Bldg., Boston, Mass. 





In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



90 



NEW BOSTON 



BOARD YOUR CAT OR DOG 

While away this summer at the 

Commonwealth Hospital for Animals 

24 CUMMINGTON STREET 

Special rates for week, month or season; skilled attendants on hand day and 
night; outdoor exercising yards. We make a specialty of all operations, 
including broken limbs, injuries from automobiles, etc., on all animals. 

Phone Back Bay 2946 



C| EXERCISE for the body is as essential for one's well being as exercise 
for the brain. 

^ THE MAN of sedentary habits has as a rule an active mind, but because 
of the Hmited time at his disposal, he allows the muscles of his body to 
grow flabby from disuse. 

q WHY NOT cultivate the "TURKISH BATH" habit? It not only stimu- 
lates and tones the tired brain, but hardens the body muscles and steadies 
the entire nervous system. 

^ MANY CLERGYMEN and physicians as well as business men can 
testify to the truth of this statement. 

LUNDIN TURKISH BATHS 

20-22 CARVER STREET NEXT TO PARK SQUARE 



was nothing timid about their spirit; 
nothing provincial in their viewpoint. 

Business men of New England, do 
you know what's going on in this coun- 
try? Do you see a hundred, a hundred 
and fifty, two hundred million Americans? 
Is your thought parallel with the giant 
times? Do you thrill with the world 
forces throbbing in your blood? Do 
you think and feel nationally? Some 
of you do, I know, but as a class do you 
in the way that other sections do? 

Do you dream enough? Are you alive 
to one of the greatest human powers 
in the world today? A power con- 
ceived in dreams and born in thought? 
A power as potent in the realm of mind 
as electricity is potent in the realm of 
matter. The power of publicity. . . . 

Get this in your minds. The pcoi)le 
in this country are very nuich alive, 
very wide awake, very well posted. In 
every corner of the country they read, 
they buy. Every year, more and more, 
they buy the goods with a name. Flour, 
sugar, silk, clothing, household stuffs, 
everything. They ask for them by the 
name at the stores. You know it. 
You do it yourself. It doesn't take a 
prophet to see no profit in nameless 



goods a few years hence, and the first 
men in the field get the cream and the 
fun. The stage, ox-team, post-road day 
is a tradition. The long, roundabout 
road from maker to user through com- 
mission man, jobber, wholesaler, travel- 
ing salesman and retailer served its 
generation. But the times demand the 
shortest, quickest, cheapest route from 
the mill through the store to the home. 
A new age is upon us. The age of 
publicity. The age of merchandising 
by wireless. 

For individual manufacturers and mer- 
chants who are looking back, down, in 
I have this injunction: Look Ahead, Look 
Up, and Look Out. Do you not fear to 
dream yourselves and do not scoff at 
dreamers. To quote Herbert Kaufman: 

"They are the Blazers of the Way— 
who never wear Doubt's bandage on 
their eyes — who starve and chill and 
hurt, but hold to courage and to hope 
because they know that there is always 
proof of truth for them who try — that 
only a cowardice and lack of faith can 
keep a seeker from his chosen goal; 
but if his heart be strong and if he dream 
enough and dream it hard enough, he can 
attain." 




A MONTHLY RECORD OP PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING 
A GREATER AND FINER CITY 



MCMXV 



MB* 

HH 

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ran 

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mtif 

i 



€trut^tiotf al ICtttnter 



THE NEEDS OF EDUCATION 

CHARLES W. ELIOT 

METROPOLITAN BOSTON 

MARCH G. BENNETT 

c 

UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN BOSTON 

JAMES HARDY ROPES 

c 

BOSTON OPEN-AIR SCHOOL ROOMS 

DR. THOMAS F. HARRINGTON 

PREVENTING INFANT MORTALITY 

CHARLOTTE KIMBALL KRUESI 



PUBLISHED BY BOSTON-1915 INCORPORATED 

SIX BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MASS. 

TEN CENTS A COPY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR 



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P 

mile 

i 

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HH 

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w 

P 

P 

"tils 
H 




GAS AND PROGRESS 



REQUIRED:-TIME 
AND ENERGY 



THE GOAL 

SOUGHT 



THE MEANS 

AT HAND 



THE GAS STOVE 



LEISURE AND 

VIGOR 



WITHIN REACH 
OF EVERYBODY 



For a STEADY, NORMAL GROWTH and CON- 
SISTENT IMPROVEMENT in personal and civic welfare, 
and for the UPBUILDING of the city on the broad founda- 
tion of a HEALTHY HOME LIFE, RELEASE from CARE 
and TOIL, a definite and reasonable PHYSICAL WELL- 
BEING, and a RESERVE SUPPLY of ENERGY on the 
part of the individual citizen, is ABSOLUTELY NECES- 
SARY. 

Any means which will add to the time which the indi- 
vidual may devote to IMPROVEMENT either of self, or of 
others, any means which will RELIEVE the DAILY DRAIN 
on his or her sources of energy, and which will add to the 
COMFORT, CONVENIENCE and HAPPINESS of the 
home life, is EARNESTLY TO BE DESIRED. 



One of the most POTENT FACTORS in the attainment 
of this object is the USE of GAS for COOKING, WATER 
HEATING, etc. The GAS STOVE requires NONE of the 
WATCHING, CARE and ATTENTION, entails NONE of 
the DELAY of THE COAL STOVE, and adds, therefore, to 
the time of the housekeeper, which may be devoted to other 
ends. 



With gas in the kitchen there is no COAL, or ASHES to 
CARRY, SHOVEL and SIFT, no laying of kindling or shak- 
ing of the fire, and hence the amount of LABOR IS MA- 
TERIALLY REDUCED, and there is a corresponding 
GAIN IN ENERGY and READINESS FOR OTHER 
WORK, or for recreation. 

The certainty of ACCURATE RESULTS, the knowl- 
edge that the service is always READY, the COMFORT 
of a COOL KITCHEN, as well as the perfect results of gas 
cooking, add immeasurably to the ENJOYMENT of LIFE, 
and the ABILITY to do GOOD WORK. 

These facts hold good in the LARGEST RESIDENCE, 
as well as in the SMALLEST APARTMENT. 



Gas ranges and gas water heaters suitable for all kinds 
and conditions of use, as well as the countless appliances em- 
ployed in the almost LIMITLESS FIELD OF GAS USE- 
FULNESS, may be seen at the show room of the Boston 
Gas Appliance Exchange, No. 16 West Street. 



BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 

Telephone Commercial Department, Oxford 1690 24 West St., BoSton 



In answering aclvt-rtisemeiits please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



JULY, 1910 



No. 3 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 87 

THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 88 

UNITY IN DIVERSITY 89 

THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE WORKER 90 

RELIGIOUS CO-OPERATION IN CIVIC ADVANCE 91 

A SURVEY OF THE NEEDS OF EDUCATION Charles W. Eliot 92 

BOSTON OPEN-AIR SCHOOL ROOMS Dr. Thomas F. Harrington.. 97 

UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN BOSTON James Hardy Ropes 103 

METROPOLITAN BOSTON March G. Bennett 106 

COUNTING THE COST 112 

THE FURTHER USE OF SCHOOL BUI LADINGS Fannie Fern Andrews 115 

PREVENTING INFANT MORTALITY Charlotte Kimball Kruesi. . . 121 

ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION Jeffrey R. Brackett 125 

BOSTON'S NEW SAFE AND SANE FOURTH PROGRAM 127 

THRIFT IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE COMMONWEALTH Harry W. Kimball 128 

THE 1910 SUMMER GAMES 129 

NOTES FROM THE WIDE FIELD 135 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Second-class rates pending at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

(Copyright, 1910, by Boston— 1915, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 



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CCI.B2l89i3 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



JULY, 1910 



No. 3 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



An Educational Number 

The date of the issue of this number 
of NEW BOSTON is coincident with 
the coming of many thousand repre- 
sentatives of the educational forces of 
the nation for their annual gathering. 
This suggests the point of appropriate 
emphasis in the monthly chronicle and 
outlook upon the various activities of 
Boston-1915. One of the largest and 
best organized groups in this movement 
is the Educational Conference. A note- 
worthy feature of its first public meeting 
was the address of the President Emeritus 
of Harvard University upon present 
educational needs. That address, spec- 
ially revised for our columns, holds the 
place of honor in these pages; whatever 
Dr. Eliot says upon such a theme will 
command the attention of all educators. 
The new spirit of desire and purpose to 
broaden to the utmost the scope and in- 
fluence of the modern college and uni- 
versity is finely revealed in the article 
by Professor Ropes, the Dean of the new 
University Extension movement; and 
some interesting glimpses of the latest 
application of sound hygiene to the en- 
vironment of school children from the 
pen of Dr. Harrington and the effective 
camera show Boston to be still in the 
van educationally. The larger use of 
school property, as set forth in the sug- 
gestive article by Mrs. Andrews, opens 
a wide field for the wiser utilization of 
the millions of dollars invested in our 
educational plants. 

Next Month's New Boston 

Vacation days are close at hand, and 
many of the organized activities of Bos- 
ton-1915 will be in a condition of tem- 



porary suspense, while their promoters 
are enjoying well-earned rest from past 
toil and are storing up vigor at moun- 
tain or seashore for the labors of another 
season. NEW BOSTON, however, will 
take no vacation. The plans already 
matured for the next issue of this period- 
ical assure the readers of no lack of in- 
teresting and timely material. Natur- 
ally, the details of the first effort of a 
great city worthily and unitedly to 
celebrate the Fourth of July will receive 
large attention; and illustrations not 
alone of Boston scenes, but also from 
special events in other cities will make 
the August number specially strong and 
attractive from the pictorial side. It 
is expected that the material will be on 
hand, illustrated with some exceedingly 
valuable charts and diagrams, for a 
study of mortality in those parts of 
Boston where the record is most lament- 
able; a contribution to our exact knowl- 
edge of conditions and causes which will 
be peculiarly timely in that period of 
the year when the ravages of disease are 
most to be dreaded in the congested })or- 
tions of great cities. 

We have also on hand an exceedingly 
valuable presentation of the problem of 
recreation for working girls, from the 
pen of Mrs. Belle Israels, amply illus- 
trated, which will appear in this next 
number. 

A Word of Appreciation 

Only in some general way, as in a 
word of acknowledgment at this point, 
can suitable returns be made to the 
many friends who have voiced their 
appreciation of the initial eft'orts of NEW 
BOSTON to make for itself an assured 



87 



88 



NEW BOSTON 



place in the realm of the monthly maga- 
zine. These encouraging voices have 
been peculiarly welcome to those who 
have taken up the burden of planning 
and putting out these early numbers, 
in the absence of Mr. Palmer, the Man- 
aging Editor. Scarcely had he entered 
upon his duties when last spring's epi- 
demic of scarlet fever, due to infected 
milk, imi)risoned him for a long period 
of qiuirantine in the hospital, and in 
further regaining of strength. With his 
return there may be expected a marked 
and steady progress toward ideals which 
have been present from the first, but 
thus far impossible of attainment. It 
has been specially gratifying to discover 
the interest manifested in sections of 
the country as far distant as the Pacific 
coast in this magazine, viewed as the 
exponent of new principles of endeavor 
in solving universal problems of citj^ 
betterment. A recent mail brought a 
subscription from Italy. 

A Victory Worth Winning 

There have been many voices heard 
in recent months urging with wisdom 
and intense feeling the long-delayed re- 
form in methods of distributing milk in 
this city; one of the latest but by no 
means the least powerful of these was 
the article by Mrs. Kruesi in our last 
number. It is gratifying to report that 
on June 16 the situation was accepted 
by those who have long fought against 
it, and it now looks likely that the new 
order will soon be universally accepted 
and will vindicate its reasonableness as 
soon as its o])eration is understood. It 
is not only exasperating but a bit dis- 
heartening to find individuals and cor- 
porations blinded to humanitarian mo- 



tive by the fear of having slightly to 
increase their equipment for distributing, 
but so long as such manifestations of 
conscienceless greed apj)ear in the com- 
munity the need of united effort to de- 
feat them is apparent. 

A Foretaste of a Saner Fourth 

Heretofore Boston has had a double 
])ortion of the ills which come from an 
unregulated Fourth of July. The seven- 
teenth of June, especially in the district 
of Charlestown, has proved a distressing 
prelude to the horrors of the national 
holiday approaching. It has seemed to 
be necessary as a demonstration of 
loyalty to the memory of those who 
fought at Bunker Hill, that each year 
upon its slopes some of their descendants 
should undergo wounds or death from 
gunpowder or other explosives unknown 
in the early days. This year a new re- 
gime went into effect, due to several 
causes. The law regulating explosives, 
which it was the privilege of Boston- 
1915 to help forward was in operation, and 
thoroughly enforced by the police of 
this city. Local ordinances applying 
to the situation were wisely drawn and 
firmly maintained. What has been the 
result, when compared with previous 
years .f* According to the returns, care- 
fully tabulated by the Boston Herald, 
there were but eight cases of accidents 
treated in hospitals this year, as against 
102 last year, and instead of twenty-six 
bell alarms of a year ago there were 
this year only fourteen. It was a grati- 
fying headline which prepared the 
way for these news items — "Hospitals 
and Firemen have Quiet Holiday." 
May a like record apj)ear on July 5 
next! 



THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION 



The American system of free public 
education is the largest and most far- 
reaching enterprise in the world. From 
the city of New York, spending millions 
every year for the training of her cliil- 
dren, down to that famous hamlet where 
a school system is maintained for one 
pupil, practically every inhabited town- 



ship has some provision for furnishing 
education of some sort to its boys and 
girls. The gathering of the National 
Educational Association, therefore, stirs 
the imagination as does the coming to- 
gether of few other hosts. No other body 
is so homogeneous in its interests and 
aims, none other is so truly representative 



UNITY IN DIVERSITY 



89 



of every remotest section of the United 
States, none other has behind it so im- 
mense an invested capital. 

Massachusetts and Boston welcome 
this great gathering as to the ancestral 
hearth. For in this city was mustered, 
in 1635, the first little band of public 
school teachers which has nudtiplied 
itself into the millions, which has spread 
all over the continent, and which has now 
journeyed to the islands of the East. 
That corporal's guard who taught in the 
newly opened Boston Latin School had 
as pupils the favored boys of a single 
race of peo|)le. The educational army 
into which that guard has expanded is 
teaching boys and girls of every race, 
nation and color, and is doing its best 
to make all of them intelligent and 
loyal American citizens. The work is 



stuj)endous, but it is not impossible. 
For it is })eing every day done. And 
many soldiers of the army of peace 
which is doing this fundamental work 
for the nation are suffering as much 
hardship and are exhibiting as much 
self-sacrifice as any soldiers of war. 

May those home-coming descendants 
who are strangers find their Mother 
Boston interesting as they had i)ictured 
her! 

May those who are familiar with 
her find a new life stirring in her mind 
and arteries! And when the National 
Educational Association honors her by 
coming again (perhaps in 1915) may its 
members find all the charms of old 
Boston doubled by the vigor, con- 
venience, bustle and beauty of the 
New Boston which is to be! 



UNITY IN DIVERSITY 



Greater Boston is a reality, not a 
dream for the delight of those who can 
measure a metropolis only by its bulk. 
It is made up of separate units, whose 
individual lines of demarcation are clear 
and worth keeping. It is natural and 
desirable that the residents of surrounding 
towns and cities should prize and jeal- 
ously guard their difl^erentiating marks 
and bounds, and treasure the traditions 
which had gathered around them. To 
blot out such dividing lines against the 
will of these civic units would be a crime 
against social progress; voluntarily to 
abandon them without sufficient cause 
would be folly. 

Nevertheless there is a greater Boston. 
It is a scientific fact, not a figure of speech. 
Underlying all diversities there are in- 
dissoluble ties radiating through nearly 
two score towns and cities within a 
distance of fifteen miles from the State 
House, which as it were automatically 
bind all these civic entities into a genuine 
unity. This unity is not hostile to dis- 
tinctions between its constituent parts. 
It is more than a sum resulting from the 
arithmetical process of addition; it is 
rather the product of factors employed in 
multiplication. 

Some of these factors, these inter- 



linking strands, lie in the material realm. 
Mr. Bennett, in his discussion of the 
metropolitan district, found on another 
page, has clearly defined some of these. 
The w'ater main and the sewer pipe are 
indispensable to any large and satis- 
factory social life. A region which is 
obliged to abandon its individual ar- 
rangements of these matters and ac- 
knowledge its dependence upon a 
common system of these adjuncts of 
civilization has in so doing confes.sed 
its part in this higher and broader unity. 
There are other ties, however, which 
are no less real and vital, though in- 
tangible and invisible. We properly call 
this larger unit "Greater Boston." Why? 
Because the growth of each separate 
part has come about only through the 
growth of that first settlement in 1630, 
upon the three hills and among the three 
rivers. Many of the men who do Bos- 
ton's work enter its gates at dawn and 
go out at dusk to find home and rest 
elsewhere; but if they did not work and 
win their living in I3oston, they would 
not be sleeping in its subiu'bs. Between 
the place where one toils and the place 
where one lives there is accordingly a 
connection which is essential and not 
accidental, permanent and not transient, 



90 



NEW BOSTON 



and the spot where the city's worker 
lives cannot be severed in thought or 
in the practical progress of affairs from 
the civic center w^hose opportunities of 
work create the suburban group of homes. 
Without attempting analysis or critical 
study of Mr. Bennett's article, it is 
worth while remarking that it commands 
careful consideration for what it suggests, 
as well as for what it explicitly states. 
It is not a superficial ])lea for any sur- 
render of local civic identity on the part 
of these neighbors of territorial Boston. 
It does raise some stimulating questions 



as to how to apply properly the principles 
of democracy and avoid the perils of 
bureaucracy where certain unities exist, 
which will eventually be satisfied only 
by fair representative government. The 
map which accompanies that article 
does more than illustrate the territory 
of which the author is s])eaking; it pic- 
tures the geographical limits of the field 
of the Boston-1915 movement, a phrase 
which implies, if it does not explicitly 
state, a pur})ose to work for all this out- 
lying region where amid many diversities 
there is also a deep and growing unity. 



THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE WORKER 



There came one day to a college in the 
mountains of Kentucky a tall, raw 
youth who had walked twenty miles, 
seeking an education. Told that he 
could not get one without a fee, he re- 
turned a few days later, leading a pig, 
and laconically remarking: "Reckon 
I'll learn up a hog." 

Not many Bostonians possess this 
commodity to offer for tuition; but, be- 
ginning next fall, any one of them may 
secure a course leading to a college de- 
gree for the price of two bushels of wheat. 
That is the largest fee permitted by the 
will of John Lowell, Jr., made many 
years ago, and it is his money, admin- 
istered by the present president of Har- 
vard University, that stands behind 
many of those courses, offered by the 
Commission on University Extension, 
which are referred to on another page. 

It is a splendid oj)portunity which 
these eight institutions of higher educa- 
tion offer to men and women too busy 
to attend the regular sessions of a col- 
lege, but eager to secure the advantages 
of university teaching; and whether 
they pay the value of two bushels or of 
eight bushels of wheat for one of these 
proffered opj)()rtuiiities, they will get 
back not only value for value, but many 
times tlie fee in what these virile courses, 
taught by leading college men and 
women, will give. Every one of the 
twelve courses offered ought to be, and 



doubtless will be, crowded with students. 

Not because it is the fashion is this 
the "day of the expert," but because 
hard Yankee sense has taught us that 
if a thing is to be done, it will be done 
more efficiently, more quickly and with 
a higher degree of certainty by the man 
who is trained to his job. The factory 
that clings to "rule of thumb" methods 
is on the sure road to bankruptcy; the 
complex business that scorns cost ac- 
counting is pretty sure to find that 
profits, like riches, have wings. The 
larger the enterprise, the greater need of 
trained men to carry it forward; for the 
blunderings of the ignorant may, in that 
case, involve huge loss. 

The modern city, with its complex 
problems of engineering, sanitation, fire 
and police protection, education, etc., 
with its complicated cpiestions of finance, 
is not only the biggest, it is the most 
difficult of businesses. It should de- 
mand, therefore, experts — technical, finan- 
cial, engineering experts of the highest 
training and experience, and it should 
keep those experts in office, their fitness 
having been proved, year after year. 
Until we think of our cities in terms of 
business rather than in terms of politics, 
we shall be confronted with what is a 
standing reproach to our American sys- 
tem of government — the cost, the in- 
efficiency and the recurring scandals in 
most of our large municipalities. 



RELIGIOUS CO-OPERATION IN CIVIC ADVANCE 



Few will dissent from assigning to 
Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden a fore- 
most place in our land as the effective 
advocate of unity among various re- 
ligionists, and of applying religion in 
concrete efforts for civic progress. In 
a sermon recently })reached in Columbus, 
Ohio, quotations from which ai)pear in 
the Church Messenger, the organ of the 
Federated churches of Rhode Island, 
w^e find the following plea for what is 
strikingly called a municipal church. 
Dr. Gladden says: 

What I am thinking of is the organization in 
every town or city of what I would call the muni- 
cipal chvrch, which shall include all the churches 
and religious societies of that town or city. Each 
of these congregations would keep up its own 
denominational connections; each would go on 
with its ordinary work as always heretofore; but 
for certain local and definite tasks they would all 
co-operate. 

Does not the philanthropic and welfare work of 
the community furnish a task in which all churches 
and religious societies could unite? The poor, the 
sick, the helpless, the friendless, the aged, the or- 
phans, the prisoners are with us always, and no one 
can question the right of the churches to take an in- 
terest in their welfare. Here is an enterprise of love 
against which no cavils can be raised. 

From this general statement of the 
common ground for such endeavor, 
Dr. Gladtlen goes on to specify the 
details of the plan in view, as follows: 

It is proposed that the organization shall consist 
of a general council in which each church or reli- 
gious society shall be represented by its minister 
or ministers and by two delegates, one of whom 
shall be a man and one a woman. The objects 
of the organization are thus stated: 

To unite all the churches and religious societies 
of the city in philanthropic and welfare work. 

To co-operate with and support all wise and 
worthy voluntary associations whose purposes 
are philanthropic, and secure the co-ordination 
of such as may be usefully brought together. 

To furnish a means of communication between 
the churches and the public charitable and cor- 
rectional institutions. 

To study the social and industrial conditions 
of the city with a view to remedying the evils of 



poverty, sickness, vice and crime, and removing 
the causes thereof. 

To keep the churches and the community in- 
formed with respect to social conditions and needs 
and to guide and incorporate public opinion in 
dealing with them. 

The important work of the coimcil will, of course, 
be done through standing committees. Such com- 
mittees, giving careful attention to each of the 
public institutions — to the city prison, the county 
jail, the workhouse, the children's home, the in- 
firmary, and all the rest; also to the Associated 
Charities, the Playground Association, the Tuber- 
culosis Society, and all the rest (I have a list of 
1,5 or 20 such organizations); also studying such 
subjects as housing and sanitation, the social evil, 
the immigrants, substitutes for the saloon, popular 
amusements, industrial peace and child labor — 
and bringing their facts and conclusions to the 
monthly meetings of the council, could greatly 
enlighten the churches and the community with 
respect to existing social and civic condition. 

I trust it will be evident that this is not a radical 
or revolutionary proposition. It will work through 
existing agencies. I do not, therefore, expect that 
it will be a costly undertaking, financially; there 
will be little machinery. We shall need one execu- 
tive man who will give his time to the work; the 
burden on the co-operating churches will not be 
heavy. My hope is that we shall have the help of 
all churches of all names — Hebrew, Catholic, 
Protestant. I am unwilling to believe that good 
men and women of any creed will refuse to unite 
in this labor of love. 

Our readers will be impressed with the 
coincidence between these suggestions 
from a master-mind in the department 
of applied civic science and the plan of 
Boston-1915 as shown in its organiza- 
tion of a Religious Group Conference, 
to complete its scheme of complete co- 
ordination of the various agencies con- 
cerned with city building. During the 
last few weeks directors representing 
this group have been added to the Board 
as follows, — from the Roman Catholic 
Church, Mr. William J. Dooley and Mr. 
Edward J. O'Connell; from the Federa- 
tion of Protestant Churches of Boston, 
Rev. George E. Paine and Mr. Frank H. 
Noyes; and from the Jewish Churches 
of the city, Rabbi P. Israeli and Mr. 
Edward S. Goulston. 



91 




CHARLES W. ELIOT 



A Survey of the Needs of Education* 



BY ( HARLES W. ELIOT 



The subject assigned me — a general 
survey of the needs of education — is 
certainly a very wide one. Modern edu- 
cation differs from the older in the general 
object it has in view, in the much larger 
number of subjects of instruction, and 
in the variety of interests it hopes to 
serve. Modern popular education ought 
to furnish preparation for numerous pro- 
fessions, trades and industries which 
present great variety and have recently 
changed profoundly; w'hereas the educa- 
tion of the few persons who had any 
education at all in the earlier times was 
of one type which changed very slowly, 
and furnished preparation for trades and 
professions which had remained essenti- 
ally the same for many centuries. 

As w^e have often heard of late, nothing 
under the sun is now done as it was 
done fifty years ago. The tools and ma- 
chines of every trade have changed. The 
objects and aims of the professions have 
in many instances changed; and even 
the oldest industries in the w^orld are now 
conducted in ways new since the middle 
of the last century. This is true of the 
most ancient and fundamental trades. 
Let me cite as an example the ancient 
art of fishing. All along the Atlantic 
coast the methods of the shore fishers 
are new within the last fifteen years. 
The men concerned in it need a different 
kind of skill from that they needed before 
the application of the explosive engine 
to the fishing industry. The art of house- 
keeping today is a very different art in 
urban communities from the correspond- 
ing art twenty or forty years ago. To 
conduct well a household is a very dif- 
ferent task today from what it was fifty 
years ago. I have lately been fitting up 
an old house with new apparatus, and 
I had to study the business of house- 
keeping all over again, from cooking to 
washing, ironing, sweeping and dusting. 
So the education of todav has become 



*An aiklross before the educational conference of 
"Boston-1915" April 29, lOU). 



various and complex, and its processes 
have been changed to meet the new 
demands of a new society. The very 
materials of education, such as books, 
pictures, and implements, are already 
to a large extent unlike those our grand- 
fathers, not to say our fathers, knew. 
I was lately speaking to the Association 
of the Boston Latin School about the 
conservative quality of that school. It 
is the most conservative school in New 
England, and yet the methods and the 
materials of instruction even in the 
Boston Latin School have changed pro- 
foundly since I was a pupil there. 

What are the main elements of these 
changes in schools, colleges, and univer- 
sities, both those supported by taxation 
and those endowed or carried on as pri- 
vate properties.^ I think the first im- 
portant change is the greater attention 
given, from the kindergarten and ])rimary 
school through the professional school, 
to the training of the senses. When I 
was a boy in the Boston Latin School 
no attention whatever was paid to that 
subject. There was no systematic train- 
ing of the senses in any of the Boston 
public schools. Seeing clearly this lack, 
my father, who was much in advance of 
his time in regard to education, saw to 
it that I received private lessons in 
carjjentry and wood turning, and I was 
early taught to ride, swim, and row, and 
to roam on foot about Boston and its 
suburbs. Those were the preliminary 
trainings that I received in the use of 
my senses, and I have always been thank- 
ful for these additions to my defective 
instruction at school. 

Although there has been sensible prog- 
ress in American schools in this regard, 
far too little time is now given to the 
training of the senses in the public 
schools, and even less is given to it in 
the endowed and private schools than 
in the public. This I hold to be the 
great need of education in the United 
States, the devoting of a nuich larger 



93 



94 



NEW BOSTON 



proportion of the total school time to 
the training of the eye, ear, and hand. 
Some means of giA'ing that training are 
already to be found in many schools. 
Thns, manual training has been intro- 
duced to a moderate degree, and in the 
mechanic arts high schools a fair amount 
of attention is already given to the train- 
ing of the senses. On the whole, how- 
ever, the very best means of training 
simultaneously the eye and the hand, 
namely, drawing, does not receive in 
American schools in general anything 
like the attention it ought to receive. 
Drawing also directs the attention of 
the child to the infinite beauties of line, 
shade, shadow and perspective, in both 
natiu'e and art. 

To satisfy the needs of the American 
school in regard to the training of the 
senses additional expenditure must be 
made on the schools. To train the 
senses well costs money; but it will be 
worth added expenditure, even if the 
conception of educational value be limited 
to the increase of industrial skill. The 
serious fact is that the American people 
do not spend one-half of what they ought 
to spend on the education of their 
children, and many of the states do not 
spend even one-cjuarter of a moderate 
allowance for education. 

The next need of American schools to 
which I invite your attention is the out- 
come of the most successful scientific 
advance the world has made during the 
past thirty years, a prodigious advance 
in human knowledge and skill. I refer 
to preventive medicine, which is not 
the curing of disease already in evi- 
dence, or even the repairing of the in- 
jured human body, but the ])revention 
of disease and premature death. The 
discoveries of the last hundred years 
have demonstrated that almost all of 
the diseases which have been regarded 
as "providential" scourges of the human 
race are really preventable. The means 
by which they travel through a com- 
munity have been discovered, the life 
history of the insects and vermin which 
carry them from one human being to 
another has been made out, and as a 
result the diseases themselves have l)een 
found to be avoidable. When we learned 
that yellow fe\-er is carried by a moscpiito 
from one patient to another, we learned 



how to prevent the transmission of the 
disease by blocking the path of the 
mosquito. Having learned how malaria 
and typhoid fever are transmitted, we 
have made great advances during the 
last twenty years in the prevention of 
those diseases. The causes of the horrible 
losses the nation sustains every year 
through the premature death of children 
luider five years of age having been made 
out, the means of preventing those losses 
are within reach, provided the will to 
use those means can be instilled into all 
classes of the community. 

In order to avail ourselves of this great 
gain in the knowledge and skill of man- 
kind, public instruction in preventive 
medicine must be provided for all children 
and the hygienic method of living must 
be taught in all schools; so that our 
children may know how diseases are in- 
curred, and therefore, how they may be 
avoided, and what the normal condi- 
tions are of a wholesome and enjoyable 
existence. To make this new knowledge 
and skill a universal subject of instruc- 
tion in our schools, colleges, and uni- 
versities is by no means impossible — 
indeed, it would not even be difficult; 
for it is a subject full of natural history, 
as well as social interest. The campaign 
carried on within the last few years 
against tuberculosis is a good illustra- 
tion of the gain that can be made simply 
by teaching people the facts about a 
contagious disease, the conveyance of 
its contagion, and the best treatment 
for it. It was easy to interest innumer- 
able heterogeneous American communi- 
ties in instruction of this nature. Ameri- 
can schools of every sort ought to provide 
systematic instruction on public and 
private hygiene, diet, sex hygiene, and 
the prevention of disease and premature 
death, not only because these subjects 
profoundly affect human affections and 
pul)lic happiness, but because they are 
of high economic importance. The 
health and vigor of the population are 
great economic assets, and every re- 
duction in the number of premature 
deaths, whether of infants or adults, 
would be an economic gain. 

The next crying need of American 
education to which I ask your attention 
is the need of introducing and fostering 
at every stage of school and college work 



A SURVEY OF THE NEEDS OF EDUCATION 



95 



the vocational motive. I am well aware 
that there are many people who think 
that a utilitarian motive is a low motive 
in education. James Russell Lowell said 
in effect, in the oration he delivered in 
Sanders Theater, on the two hundred 
and fiftieth anniversary of the founding 
of Harvard College, that a university 
ought to be a place where nothing useful 
was taught. He was, of course, using 
a private and peculiar definition of the 
word useful; because most people believe 
that every subject of instruction is 
either useful now in some way or other, 
or has in it undeveloped potentialities 
of usefulness, and that no human being 
can tell today whether a subject now 
without a])plications may not have 
important apjilications tomorrow. The 
present innumerable applications of elec- 
tricity well illustrate potential utility 
long dormant. Who could have imagined 
that the phenomenon produced by rub- 
bing a bit of amber with a piece of silk 
could possibly have a mechanical appli- 
cation.-' And yet some of the most inter- 
esting applications of science within the 
last fifty years came right out of such 
obscure and apparently trivial observa- 
tions! To be sure, it may take some 
thousands of years to arrive at the appli- 
cations. In popular education, at least, 
no subject should be taught which is 
not rich in applications; and in a com- 
plete university every art and science 
should be taught, whether it has an actual 
present application or not. 

When we examine the kinds of educa- 
tion and the modes of instruction which 
have been most successful in the world, 
do we not generally find they have been 
processes and methods in which the 
vocational object was clearly held in 
view? Training for the learned and 
artistic professions was for many cen- 
turies the most successful sort of edu- 
cation. Every, young man who was in 
training for the legal or clerical pro- 
fession or for any artistic profession had 
continually in view from the beginning 
the calling for which he was in training. 
His culture came through that training — 
indeed, there existed no other kind of 
culture. The cultural studies were the 
professional studies, Latin was in medi- 
aeval times the indispensable vocational 
study, since it was the vehicle of all 



knowledge and the common language of 
scholars. Then, every young man who 
was in training for one of the traditional 
professions had clearly in view that he was 
studying to prepare himself for a calling 
in life. His motive was in the highest 
degree vocational. Nowadays, when the 
professions are so multiplied, it is a 
matter of common observation that pro- 
fessional training, whether for learned, 
scientific, technical, or artistic profes- 
sions, is the training which develops in 
the student the most intense interest 
and gets out of him the hardest work. 
It is unusual to find sluggish, uninter- 
ested students in a professional school, 
no matter whether it be a school of law, 
medicine, agriculture, engineering, or 
architecture. The professional schools 
are filled with men who work earnestly, 
intensely and happily. Their motive is 
vocational from beginning to end. Where 
do we find then, the dull, uninterested, 
sluggish pupils today .^ We find them 
in those schools where the vocational 
motive is not clear. We find them in 
the schools and colleges which are en- 
deavoring to enlist the pupils in the 
study of subjects which seem to have no 
bearing on their subsequent life work. 
The great majority of American children 
drop out of the public school system 
before they are sixteen years old. They 
begin to drop out at twelve or thirteen 
years of age, unless the law holds them 
until the fourteenth year. Of that small 
proportion of children who enter the 
high schools only a small fraction grad- 
uate. The chief cause of these serious 
phenomena is the lack of the vocational 
motive, or, in other words, the lack of 
the conviction or belief that what the 
child is learning and practising at school 
is going to contribute to his success in 
after life, to his earning a good liveli- 
hood. It is often said that the great 
majority of American children must 
leave school at twelve, thirteen or four- 
teen in order to contribute to the sup- 
port of their families; but the only 
known facts are that the children are 
not interested in their school work, and 
then that they leave school so soon as 
they are capable of earning a little money 
at unskilled labor. In the technical, 
agricultural, and trade schools, and in 
the evening schools there is no difficulty 



96 



NEW BOSTON 



in lioldin<>- the interest of the jnipils, 
and keeping them at study long after 
the age of fourteen, even if the pupils 
come from families which are in very 
narrow circumstances. In such schools 
the i)upils seem to be full of ardor; but 
then every one of them feels strongly 
the vocational motive. 

To some peojjle a vocational motive 
seems materialistic and low in the scale 
of human emotions; but is this a reason- 
able view? Is it true of us adults? Have 
we any better motiA'e for li\'ely work 
than tiie hope of making ourselves more 
useful and successful in the occupation 
through which we earn our livelihood? 
Is there any work which we enjoy more 
than the work we do in and for the call- 
ing through which all our earning power 
and serviceableness are developed? The 
hope of increased earning power and in- 
creased serviceableness is by no means 
a purely selfish hope. On the contrary, 
it may be in a high degree altruistic. 
At any rate, in these days of individual 
freedom neither child nor man will work 
hard except from an internal motive of 
which he feels the force, — in short, from 
a personal interest in the work itself. 
It is (juite possible to study any of the 
so-called cultural subjects in just as 
narrow a spirit as it is to study chemistry, 
physics, agriculture, engineering, or any 
other subject ordinarily stigmatized as 
utilitarian. ]\Iost of the x\merican uni- 
versities now support a graduate depart- 
ment of arts and sciences; and to that 
department go men whose education is 
already well advanced. Now, arts and 
sciences have a more comprehensive 
sound than law or medicine, for example, 
and yet any one of the young men, 
already bachelors of arts, who fill the 
graduate schools may work on languages, 
history, or pure mathematics in a narrow, 
uncultivated way, just as law students 
may study law in that objectiona})le spirit. 
On the other hand, throughout a grad- 
uate school of arts and sciences the true 
vocational spirit may be (piite as intense 
as it is in the school of law, greatly to 
the advantage of all the students. In- 
deed, the highest type of mental applica- 
tion and intellectual enthusiasm cannot 
be developed without the vocational 
motive. It is not simply the bread and 
butter motive — by no means. Every 



calling nowadays, whether profession or 
craft, has a side to it which means some- 
thing more than bread-winning. The 
men who succeed in the trades or pro- 
fessions are those who are animated by 
motive, vocational to be sure, but also 
altruistic and artistic. 

The apprenticeship system, which long 
prevailed in the leading industries of 
the most civilized nations, illustrated 
perfectly the good results of the voca- 
tional motive. When an intelligent 
apprentice was learning a trade thor- 
oughly he had a good livelihood in view, 
to be sure, but while he was learning 
his trade he was also cultivating his 
senses, obeying the artistic instinct, and 
aspiring to an ideal excellence. The 
apprenticeship method having disap- 
peared, the schools must utilize the trade 
motive to procure from their pupils 
good manual and mental labor, and to 
instil the love of the beautiful and excel- 
lent. The vocational motive in almost 
all the common human employments 
leads directly to a high degree of sense 
training and to the development of the 
artistic spirit. 

These three great needs of iVmerican 
education are the only ones which I have 
time to describe. We may all rejoice 
in the progress which has been made 
within our own period of observation 
in the first and last of the processes to 
which I have alluded. Progress toward 
the universal teaching of hygienic living 
and preventive medicine has barely 
begun. These three directions of social 
work ought not by any means to be 
confined to the school room or to the 
college lecture room or laboratory. They 
ought to be developed through all our 
social efforts, through the plays and 
recreations of children and adults, as 
well as through the labors by which a 
livelihood is earned. In particular, 
hygienic conditions of living and pre- 
ventive medicine ought to be determining 
factors in the plays or recreations of 
both children and adults. Education is 
not a process confined to schools and 
colleges. It should go on throughout 
life. Hence it is a great social object 
to study all means of improving the 
mental effects of the common trades and 
industries, and the moral effects of 
exercising the suffrage, that is, of taking 



BOSTON OPEN-AIR SCHOOL ROOMS 



97 



part as freeman in the government of 
the country. The education of the Ameri- 
can people goes on after school days 
through two great processes, the indus- 
trial process and the political process. 
All through life, therefore, the three 
lines of effort which I have indicated, — 
the training of the senses, instruction 
in hygiene and jjreventive medicine, and 
the application of the vocational mo- 
tive, — can be continuously pursued. 

I never like to take part in a discus- 
sion of social and educational difficulties 
without calling attention to the fact that 
new encouragements for social, educa- 
tional and moral efforts of all sorts are 
abundant. The problems of public 
instruction are grave, because of the 
increased complexity of trades and pro- 
fessions, the great variety of occupations 
for which young people are to be pre- 
pared, and the infinite diversities of the 
free human beings with whom the school 
systems now attempt to deal. The 
great encouragement in attempting to 
meet these difficulties is the changed 
view of educated mankind about evil 



itself. One need only go back a hundred 
years to find a condition of public belief 
concerning evil which was extremely 
fatalistic. Evil was inseparable from 
human nature, and from the "provi- 
dential" administration of the universe. 
Evil was inevitable and irresistible in this 
wretched world. For example, how 
crushing were the pestilences which 
periodically ravaged both civilized and 
barbarous society! War seemed the 
normal condition of mankind. These 
evils seemed to be a part of God's plan 
for the universe. The present genera- 
tions take an entirely different view of 
evil in general. Most of the evils that 
once seemed inevitable and irresistible 
mankind now knows to be preventable 
by the increase of human knowledge and 
skill. They are results, for the most 
part, of ignorance, and for the balance, 
of vice and crime. That I believe to be 
the great encouragement to hard social 
work by the minister, teacher, physician, 
or man of business who looks beyond the 
winning a livelihood, or the making of 
money, to the welfare of the human race. 



BOSTON OPEN-AIR SCHOOL ROOMS 



BY DR. THOMAS F. HARRINGTON 



In addition to the class of children 
known to be tuberculous and the class 
of children whose mental defects were 
the obvious causes of school retardation, 
recent investigations have called at- 
tention to a third class of children who 
may be termed the physically debili- 
tated. These are children who are able 
to attend school more or less regularly, 
and who profit to a certain extent by the 
instruction, but who are suffering from 
anaemia and various forms of incipient 
disease. It is probable that from three 
to five per cent of all school children 
belong to this class. These children 
are suffering principally from debili- 
tating conditions which arise from city 
life. The most common signs are anae- 
mia, enlarged cervical glands, adenoids 
and hypertrophied tonsils, chorea and 



physical dwarfing. All these may be 
looked upon as results of chronic poison- 
ing by breathing imjjure air. The pres- 
ence in school rooms of these children 
has been noted often in the past and has 
given rise to startling statements that 
"consumption"' was very prevalent among 
school children. This class of children, 
however, is distinct and separate from 
the tuberculous class to which many 
would, no doubt, gravitate if left un- 
aided. For these physically unfit children, 
as well as for those ciiildren who are 
backward, not on account of defective 
intelligence but rather of impaired vi- 
tality, a new type of school room has 
been devised. In addition to school 
rooms of special construction, provisions 
have been made by the Boston School 
Committee for assuring an abundance 



98 



NEW BOSTON 




THE TYPE OF CLASS ROOM USED 



of fresh air in the old type of school 
rooms. These are called the open-air 
school rooms. Its province is to carry 
on the instruction of the children with 
the help of improved methods and sur- 
roundings, while, at the same time, 
endeavoring to cure or ameliorate the 
conditions from which such children 
suffer. Few lessons in preventive medi- 
cine need more reiteration than those 
which will teach the present and the future 
generations that lower room tem])erature 
than that usually maintained in this 
country and a continuous abundance of 
fresh air from outside the building are 
the foundations of health. 

The open-air school room is an at- 
tempt to return toward the natural con- 
ditions of living. The established fact 
that fresh air will aid greatly in the cure 
of tuberculosis suggests the possibility 
that if the predisposed child could be 
given a greater abundance of fresh air, 
the tuberculosis might be prevented. In 
the same line, if the over-heating of our 



homes, schools, and offices is the cause 
of the prevalence of colds and catarrh in 
our Northern climate, then open-air 
rooms with a lower temperature and 
greater humidity should prevent those 
forerunners of tuberculosis, pneumonia 
and influenza. Thirdly, as school chil- 
dren in rooms with a temperature of 
70 degrees Fahrenheit and over w^ere 
more listless, less bright, and more prone 
to evidence of anaemia, chest and nose 
affections than children of the same age 
and of the same social environments, 
attending school rooms with temper- 
ature of 64 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit, 
then why not place all the children in 
school rooms of the better sort, namely, 
in open-air school rooms? Since the 
routine surgical removal of adenoid 
growths has failed to bring about the 
promised improvement in the physical 
and mental condition of a large number 
of sub-normal children, and since the 
experience at such schools as the Massa- 
chusetts School at Canton for crippled 



BOSTON OPEN-AIR SCHOOL ROOMS 



and deformed children has demonstrated 
that many cases of adenoids can be 
cured, even when associated with tul^er- 
cular bone processes, l)y a Hfe in the 
open air, wliy not submit the selected 
cases only to surgical operation and give 
to the greater number of children with 
enlarged glands and adenoids the bene- 
fits of the open-air treatment? These 
are some of the premises upon which 
rest the claims for the establishment of 
open-air schools. 

For the mentally deficient pupils, 
selected by an expert on mental diseases, 
nine special classes have been estab- 
lished. The special school for the tuber- 
culous children opened at Franklin Park 
has been made an integral part of the 
Boston Consumptives' Hospital Depart- 
ment. This arrangement solves the feed- 
ing and transportation problem of these 
scliool children on the same basis as medi- 
cal and surgical relief given at out-patient 
de])artments, i. e., gratuitous, without 
pauperization, to the needy; part pay- 



ment by those who are able to pay. 
This special school has had 196 chil- 
dren since its opening in 1908; forty- 
three children have been discharged. 
Today there are 115 children in the 
school, and out of this number 15 to 20 
per cent will be discharged as cured in 
June or September. Each "cured case" 
is followed up by the school nurse and 
each is examined at Burrough's Place 
clinic every month. 

In addition to these classes for these 
two special groups of children the Boston 
School Committee has inaugurated a 
wider camjjaign of education and jjracti- 
cal demonstration of health measures 
for the third group of children which 
promises much good. 

In an examination of 90,000 Boston 
elementary school children in December, 
1909, the school nurses and teachers 
selected 5,043, or 5.Q per cent, as suit- 
able cases for open-air treatment on ac- 
count of the evidence of anaemia, chorea, 
glandular enlargements, under-size, or 




THE SCHOOL NURSE WEIGHS AND MEASTTRES EACH PUPIL EVERY MONTH 



100 



NEW BOSTON 



recent illness. The medical inspectors 
confirmed 4,489 of these findings. The 
Advisory Committee on School Hygiene 
recommended that school rooms afford- 
ing an abundance of sunlight, and free 
from noise, dust and smoke, and caj^able 
of thorough flushing with air from out- 
side the buildings be established in 
various quarters of the city for the 
special accommodations of this class of 
children selected by the medical in- 
spectors. Plans and specifications were 
prepared for the installation of such 
rooms in all new school buildings, and 
for the preparation of selected rooms in 
existing buildings. The School Commit- 
tee amended its rules and regulations 
and fixed 07 degrees Fahrenheit as the 
maximum temperature for all school 
rooms and made it obligatory that every 
school room shall be thoroughly aired by 
opening the windows, top and bottom, at 
ten o'clock a. m, at recess, at the close 
of school, at three o'clock p. m. and at 
the close of the afternoon and evening 
sessions. These rules are to be enforced 
irrespective of the kind of system for 
heating or ventilation installed in the 
building. It was further ordered that 
the teachers in day schools shall keep 



the windows, on at least one side of 
every class room, wide open whenever 
so doing will not reduce the temperature 
below 67 degrees Fahrenheit, nor by 
the admission of rain or dust, or other- 
wise seriously interfere with the school 
exercises. 

Teachers are required to record the 
temperature of each room each session, 
in a ])ermanent form, accessible to in- 
spection, the reading to be made and 
recorded at a time midway between 
the opening of the session and the ap- 
pointed time for opening windows for 
the purpose of recess or physical training 
exercises. 

Six open-air classes have been estab- 
lished and the results thus far observed 
have been greater freedom from colds 
and sore throat, and almost uninter- 
rupted school attendance by children 
previously absent frequently; increased 
mental alertness, and a marked awaken- 
ing by pupils and parents on the im- 
portance of fresh air and good food as 
factors in promoting health. Oppor- 
tunities are offered each child to procure, 
during the session, a luncheon at a cost 
not exceeding two cents. None of the 
children have failed to procure the neces- 





Pi 




■ 


4» 


~ 




I" 


^^H 


■ 


■ • 








H^^^K ^M^^^^^^^^^^^^^H 


i' 


m' 


1 ^.1 

4 



CL.\SS ASSEMBLED FOR MORNING WORK 



BOSTON OPEN AIR SCHOOL ROOMS 



101 




THE LUNCHEON AND RELAXATION rERlOD 



sary funds for the lunches and the result 
has been that money formerly spent by 
the children for pickles, candies, and old 
fruit, is now used in the school for milk, 
cocoa, sandwiches, puddings and cookies. 
A regular weighing chart is kept with 
each child's record, and the majority 
have shown a steady, progressive gain 
in weight. Other children not assigned 
to the open-air classes have caught the 
school lunch habit, and these children 
are likewise encouraged by the school 
nurse and room teacher to keep a record 
of their weight; scales having been pro- 
vided by the School Committee for 
every school district. Se\eral schools 
have combined the work of the classes 
in domestic science with the furnishing 
of the lunches. 

As to the respective importance of 
the open air and a regular supply of 
suitable food, it is not possible to differ- 
entiate between the results of the two, 
because each influences the amount of 
benefit derived from the other. It can, 
however, be claimed that without the 
open-air conditions, few of these chil- 
dren would have eaten the amount of 
food necessary for functional require- 
ments and growth, and fewer still would 



have assimilated properly what they 
did eat. 

Little, if any, special clothing, other 
than covering for the legs and feet, is 
required in these special rooms on account 
of the greater freedom in motion allowed 
the children and the discretion allowed 
the teacher in the arrangement of her 
daily program. Every care is taken to 
avoid giving these rooms the appear- 
ance of a sanatorium, or to make the 
child too introspective on his physical 
condition. 

The far-reaching influence of these 
classes upon the home life of the chil- 
dren and the family, as an educational 
factor in conserving health and in ward- 
ing off disease, is beyond estimation. 

In one open-air class of twenty pupils, 
the total gain in weight for three months 
has been eighty-one pounds, the lowest 
gain being one pound, the highest ten 
pounds. The average weight of this class 
had been less than sixty pounds, instead 
of from sixty-five to seventy pounds for 
normal children of the same age. These 
children had been absent 538 school ses- 
sions during the previous three months, 
while they were able to be present at 
every session except thirty-nine during 



102 



NEW BOSTON 




WRAPriXG BAGS FOR COLU DAYS 



the three months of open-air schooHng. 
Some of the children made remarkable 
progress in health. A girl of seven 
years, who was out of school for three 
months, by order of her family physician, 
on account of chorea (St. Vitus Dance) 
was admitted to the class on April 29, 
weighing sixty-two ])ounds. On May 
24 she had gained a pound in weight and 
parents say, "she sleeps better, eats 
better, and is very much happier." A 
boy twelve years old, suffering from 
malnutrition, weighed sixty-one pounds 
on April 29, had been absent consider- 
able, was listless, and did not care to go 
to school. On IVIay 24, he had gained 
two pounds, had not missed a session of 
school, showed a great gain in general 
appearance, stands and sits erect, does 
good class-work, and is very happy at 
his work. A boy eleven years, eight 
months, absent the greater part of the 
year on account of bronchitis and sup- 
posed "consumption." Examination 
failed to establish tuberculosis. The 
child was prevailed upon to enter the 
oj)en-air class. May 29 he weighed 
eight3'-two pounds and has not missed 
a school session in three months. 

A girl, nine years and eleven months, 



absent more than half the time on ac- 
count of indigestion and debility, gained 
from fifty-four pounds to sixty pounds 
between April 23 and May 24. "Has 
improved in appetite, in mentality, in 
attendance, and in appearance." A girl 
of ten years and four months, suffering 
from pronounced anaemia, was admitted 
to the class Ajjril 29, weighing forty- 
nine pounds. On May 24 she weighed 
sixty pounds. Has not been absent. 
"Shows great advancement in her work. 
Her general health and appearance have 
improved wonderfully." Boy eleven 
years and four months, suffering from 
malnutrition, admitted to class April 29, 
weighing sixty-six poiuids. \'ery back- 
ward in studies; pale and undersized. 
On INIay 24 he weighed seventy pounds. 
"He has shown a great gain in looks 
and mental alertness, as well as in vol- 
untary effort, which is entirely new to 
him." Girl, age eleven years and ten 
months, having debility following pneu- 
monia, on April 29 weighed sixty-four 
pounds. Had been absent two-thirds of 
time, very pale, thin and listless. No 
appetite, bright mentally, but body not 
equal to mind. On May 24 had gained 
five pounds; had not missed a session, 



UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN BOSTON 



103 



sleeps better, appetite good. Family 
says: "Wonderful change in her whole 
manner." 

In another class of forty-one i)upils 
there have been gains in weight except 
in three cases where the boys worked 
before and after school hours. In this 
class each pupil sleeps at least one-half 
hour a day; one section rests or sleeps 
while the other section is reciting. 
Nineteen pupils have shown a marked 
improvement in mentality. The ab- 
senteeism has been reduced to a mini- 
mum. The school nurse makes a weekly 
visit to the home of every child assigned 
to the open-air classes and instructs 
parents in the selection and preparation 
of suitable food for the child. The 
average gain in w^eight has been two 
pounds, the largest gain (classes opened 
March 23) to date being seven pounds 
and twelve ounces. 

In order that the gain in health may 
be maintained during the long summer 
v^acation, the Women's Municipal League 
has volunteered to continue the work 
of the schools by establishing an out- 
door school at Castle Island, South 
Boston, from the close of the regular 
schools in June until their opening in 



September. School nurses have selected 
more than hio children from those ex- 
hibiting the most urgent needs, and 
special barges or cars will transport 
these children daily from their hot, over- 
crowded tenement districts to an or- 
ganized day school and play camp on 
one of Boston's peninsulas. 

The Fathers and Mothers Club is to take 
groups of these undersized and anaemic 
children into the country during the sum- 
mer and give each child two weeks, at 
least, of rest, recreation and health. 

The result of all this health work may 
not manifest itself at once, nevertheless, 
the teaching of all lessons today in com- 
bating disease is that the greatest hope 
lies in giving to each person a soil, i. e., 
a bodily resistance, in which the germs 
of disease cannot take root; and secondly, 
that an abundance of fresh air and sun- 
shine, cleanliness, a simple nutritious 
diet, and a proper proportion of work 
and rest are the best means of securing 
such a state of health. 

These are the lessons on health which 
the Boston schools hope to teach and 
instil while the children are under their 
care for the greater part of that age 
most susceptible to disease. 



UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN BOSTON 



BY JAMES HARDY ROPES 



In the educational equipment of a 
modern city not only is it necessary to 
provide schools, elementary and higher, 
for boys and girls, and to have conven- 
iently accessible colleges for men and 
women, technical schools for training 
engineers and scientific workers, and 
institutions of various kinds to fit those 
who look forward to other professions. 
There are also other persons, mainly 
engaged in regular daily occupations, 
whose education was cut short but who 
have come to recognize the advantage 
of further well-guided study; and it is 
important that they should have the 
opportunity to improve themselves in 
their leisure time. The number of ])er- 
sons who have continued their education 



to the age of twenty-one will always 
be relatively small; and the intelligence 
of the community as a whole will de- 
pend on the intelligence diffused through 
the majority. An understanding of the 
general principles of economics or science, 
or of the facts of history, an apprecia- 
tion for good literature such as comes 
through knowledge of it — these things 
are not beyond the capacity of many 
thousands of our people, and effic- 
iency, as well as the power of wise 
self-direction, in a democracy will in 
some degree be measured by the success 
of the educational forces of the com- 
munity in bringing these attainments 
to large numbers of the poi)ulation. 
The spread of general intelligence not 



104 



NEW BOSTON 



only means j>reater powers of enjoyment 
to persons with leisure to read and 
think, it should produce open-minded- 
ness to ideas and conservatism toward 
revolution, enhanced command of the 
practical arts, sounder judgment on 
the moral (juestions of politics and daily 
life. P\)r the chief purpose of higher 
education is the understanding of the 
forces which are actually at work in 
nature and in society — whether it be 
electricity, or human nature expressed 
in the affairs of business and government. 

It is with motives such as these that 
the eight institutions constituting the 
"Commission on Extension Courses" have 
organized for 1910 11 a body of courses 
of college grade and taught by college 
instructors, which are intended to offer 
something of the advantages of a col- 
lege education to ])ersons who did not 
go to college but who wish they 
had. The institutions concerned are 
Harvard University, Tufts College, the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 
Boston College, Boston University, 
the Museum of Fine Arts, Wellesley Col- 
lege and Simmons College. 

The courses will })e given at Boston 
University, the Institute of Technology, 
the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston 
Society of Natural History, and the 
Parker Memorial Institute. The hours 
are in the evening, in the latter part of 
the afternoon, and on Saturday. The 
courses offered are as follows: 

DIVISION I. 
EVENING COURSES AT 8 P. M. 

1. English Litcrafiire and Composition. Mr. V. T. 
Copeland, Professor Chester N. Greenough, Mr. 
F. W. C. Hersey, Harvard Cniversity. Tuesday, 
Thursday. 

2a. Expcrimcntid ElcctrirUy. Professor Louis Derr, 
Institute of Technology. Tuesday, Thursday. 
{First halj-ijcar.) 

2b. Applied Electricity. Professors Harrison W. 
Smith and W. E. Wickenden, Institute of Tech- 
nology. Tuesday, Tluu'sday. (Second half-year.) 

3. Principles of Economics. Profe.ssor Henry C. 
Metcalf, Tufts College. Monday, Wednesday. 

4. Psychology. Professor H. M. Yerkes, Harvard 
University. Monday, Wednesday. 

DIVISION II. 
AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY COURSES 

A. — Languages and Literature 
1. English Composition (advanced course). Pro- 
fessor Dallas Lore Sharp, Boston University. 
Tuesday, Thursday, .'}.;5(). 



2. History of English Literature. Professor E. 
Cliarlton Black, Boston University. Monday, 
AVednesday, 4.30. 

3. derman. German Life (in German). Professor 
Marshall L. Perrin, Boston University. Mon- 
day, Wednesday, 4.30. 

4. French (elementary covu-se). Professor James 
Geddes. Jr., Boston I'niversity. Monday, Wed- 
nesday, 4.20. 

,5. French Literature as influenced by French life 
atid manners. Professor Therese Colin, Wellesley 
College. Tuesday, Thursday, 3.30. 

B. — Natural Sciences 

1. Physics. The Ionic Theory. Professor Norton 
.\. Kent. Boston University. Monday, Wednes- 
day, 3.30. 

2. Physiology. Professor Arthur W. Weysse, Bos- 
ton I'nivcrsity. Tuesday, Thursday, 4.20. {First 
half-year.) 

NOTE: — Courses 3, 4, ,5, G and 7 are courses 
in the Lowell Teachers' School of Science. They 
will begin Nov. 12, 1910. 

3. Mineralogy. Profes.sor George H. Barton, Bos- 
ton Society of Natural History. Saturday, 9-11 
a. m. 

4. Dynamical and Structural Geology. Professor 
Barton. Saturday, 2-4. 

.5. Physiological Botany. Professor W. J. V. 

Osterhout, Harvard University. Saturday, 2-4. 
C. Geography of Europe. Professor Douglas \N. 

Johnson, Harvard University. Saturday, 2-5. 
7. History of Chemistry. Professor Lyman C. 

Newell, Boston University. Saturday, 11a. m. 

C. — History 

1. English Ilisiory from 1485 to the present. Pro- 
fessor Frederic A. Ogg, Simmons College. Mon- 
day, Wednesday, 4. 

2. Ancient Art and Cirilization. Mr. Arthur 
Fairbanks, Museum of Fine Arts. Monday, 
Wednesday, 4.15, and a third hour. {First 
half-year.) 

3. The Cirilization and Art of the Roman, Byzantine, 
Gothic, and Renais.^ancc Ages. Professor John 
O. Sumner, Institute of Technology. {Second 
h(df-year.) 

For the.se courses a tuition fee will 
be charged varying from five dollars to 
twenty dollars a course. Full informa- 
tion can be had by writing to the Commis- 
sion on Extension Courses, University 
Hall, Cambridge, IMass. 

The financial supj)ort for these courses 
is furnished (to the extent of more than 
half) by the Lowell Institute: for the 
rest the commission is dependent on the 
contributions of generous friends of 
the enterprise to whose attention the 
education committee of the Chamber 
of Commerce has undertaken to bring 
the matter. The extent to which the 
fees will pay for the teaching and for 
the moderate other exj^enses remains 
to be learned from experience. In the 
long run such courses ought to be so 



UNIVERSITY EXTENSION IN BOSTON 



105 



administered as substantially to meet 
their own cost. This is desirable both 
for the sake of the permanence of the 
system of courses, and because students 
value more highly instruction for which 
they have to pay something. 

The commission's group of courses 
will include the Lowell Collegiate Courses, 
given in the evening by Harvard pro- 
fessors for the past three years, and the 
courses of the Lowell Teachers' School 
of Science, which have proved useful to 
teachers for a long period of years. That 
there is a public demand for such work 
is showm by the fact that the Lowell 
Collegiate Courses have each year at- 
tracted a body of students averaging one 
thousand. With the enlarged offering the 
number of students ought to increase. 

The largest single group of extension 
students probably consists of teachers, 
especially in the public schools. In 
addition to the courses of the commission, 
certain other instruction is offered to 
them in Boston. At Boston LTniversity 
the professors have organized "Courses 
for Teachers," likewise of collegiate 
grade. These have been given for the 
past two years, and will be continued 
in 1910-11. They are held in the after- 
noon and on Saturday, and constitute 
a very valuable contribution to the 
teacher's opportunities for higher edu- 
cation. About 1.50 teachers have taken 
advantage of these courses in the past 
months. The particular courses to be 
given next year have not yet been an- 
nounced. These courses count directly 
for the A. B. of Boston University. 

Simmons College also has arranged 
for next year four important courses for 
commercial teachers, and for sewing teach- 
ers. The need of such work has been much 
felt in recent years. A course at Harvard 
specially adapted for teachers of Latin 
has also been put at an afternoon hour, 
and opened to teachers at a low fee. 

For the technical training of others 
than teachers some provision has already 
been made. The problem is a somewhat 
different one from that of the extension 
of regular college work. For ambitious 
men in industrial establishments the 
Lowell School for Industrial Foremen 
offers admirable training in its two vears' 



evening courses in electrical and in 
mechanical work. Somewhat more ele- 
mentary is the work of the Franklin 
Institute and the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association. For men in business 
three of the Harvard Business School's 
regular courses have been put at 4.30 p.m. 
The Architectural League is understood 
to be planning a system of courses for 
architectural draughtsmen, and it is 
to be hoped that some of the courses 
falling within the range of the commis- 
sion's work will prove available in these 
and other technical fields. 

The work of the commission, then, 
is an integral part of a large attempt, 
under the charge of various agencies, 
to provide for this particular educational 
need, — the instruction of persons whose 
regular occupation fills the greater part 
of their time. These are what we mean 
by "extension students." "University 
extension" means the direct transference 
to a place and time convenient to such 
students of regular college work under 
college professors. It is not a lower 
grade of work; it is the same work done 
by the same instructors, and altered 
only in so far as the interests and needs 
of these students (usually more mature 
and eager than college students) require. 
The distinction of this work as under- 
taken in Boston is that we have tried 
to maintain it on the highest level, 
and to secure that the instruction shall 
be given, not by younger assistants, 
but by the best and most experienced 
college professors. 

The development of the courses of- 
fered by the Commission on Extension 
Courses will be guided by experience 
of what the public desires and can use. 
Advanced courses will be added in sub- 
sequent years if a sufficient number of 
students apply for them, and courses 
in nearly any subject can be supplied 
in response to an adequate demand. 
The courses will be varied by rotation 
in successive years. At the start they 
are in part an experiment, and will have 
to be supported by contributions. As 
they become established, it is hoped 
that both their constituency of students 
and their financial support will prove 
to be on a j)ernuinent basis. 



METROPOLITAN BOSTON 

WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE GOVERNED 



BY MARCH G. BENNETT 



Almost immediately after the founding 
of Boston, in 1630, it became the social, 
commercial and political center of the 
surrounding teri'itory. Farming was then 
the chief industry, followed by shipping, 
and these two continued to reign for 
more than two centuries. The increase 
in population did not establish new 
centers, but merely widened Boston's 
sphere of influence. New towns were 
created by setting off portions of old 
towns, and the old towns grew more 
populous, but no less dependent upon 
the central community. With the build- 
ing of railroads, all centering in Boston, 
and the development of manufacturing 
industries which followed, came the be- 
ginning of the suburban development 
which has grown in such a wonderful 
manner and has made the city of Boston 
the workshop, and the surrounding com- 
munities the playground and bedroom 
of almost a million and a half of people, 
living in thirty-nine different cities and 
towns, every one of which, with the 
exception of Lynn, is practically wholly 
dependent upon this city commercially 
and socially, although each one has an 
independent political system. The in- 
crease in the population of Boston and 
the contiguous towns, and the closer 
intimacy of their relations, produced a 
movement toward annexation which, 
beginning with South Boston in 1804, 
culminated in 1874, when Charlestown, 
Brighton and West Roxbury were an- 
nexed on the same day, as the result 
of a referendum vote. The full list of 
annexations, familiar to those who fre- 
quent the Registry of Deeds, is as 
follows : 

South Boston, March 6, 1804. 

Washington Village, May 21, 1855. 

Back Bay, April 25, 1859. 

Roxbury, January 6, 1868. 

Dorchester, January 3, 1870. 

West Roxbury, Brighton and Charles- 
town, January 5, 1874. 



The other communities preferred to 
retain their independence, so that Boston 
has a queer shape, like^a wedge of pie, 
with Brookline coming in like a thinner 
wedge. Another result was to isolate 
Brookline from its county, Norfolk, and 
to leave it entirely surrounded by Suffolk 
and Middlesex. If these annexations 
had not taken place the population of 
Boston would now be very small indeed 
and the Chamber of Commerce's task 
of convincing the country at large that 
Boston as a commercial entity belongs 
in the class with New York and Chicago 
rather than with Baltimore, Buffalo and 
Cleveland, would be even more difficult 
than it now is. 

But the problems which started this 
annexation movement would not down. 
The most pressing of these was sewage 
disposal. Pestilence was threatened by 
the increasing use by the communities 
in the Charles and Mystic valleys of 
those rivers, as sewage outlets, and in 
the anxiety to prevent this and at the 
same time to avoid the general annexa- 
tion, which was so objectionable, a 
scheme of half-baked federation was de- 
vised, by the organization in 1889, of 
the Metropolitan Sewer District. This 
creation was unique. The only govern- 
mental subdivisions that had existed up 
to that time in jNIassachusetts were 
counties, cities and towns. No acceptable 
method could be found of bringing about 
co-operative action by the different 
cities and towns which were to partici- 
pate in the benefits and expenses of the 
proposed works, and it was therefore 
provided that the Commonwealth should 
assume the responsil)ility. Accordingly, 
the act of establishing the district also 
provided for the appointment by the 
governor of a Metropolitan Sewer Com- 
mission, and for the construction Tby 
this commission of great trunk line 
sewers throughout the district, which 
sewers should receive and carrv out to 



107 



108 



NEW BOSTON 



sea the dangerously swelling volume of 
sewage that was eollected by the local 
sewers in each one of the municipalities 
that joined the district. The state 
financed the whole enterprise, loaning 
its credit to the newly created, but 
governmentally fictitious district, and 
the commissioners were appointed by 
the governor and made resjjonsible only 
to him and to the legislature. The dis- 
trict was divided into two parts, one 
known as the North District and the 
other as the South District, because 
physical conditions required that one 
section should be drained to the north, 
and the other to the south, of Boston, 
and the accounts of the two districts 
are separately kept. The cities and 
towns are reimbursing the state in annual 
assessments governing both principal and 
interest upon the construction bonds and 
upon the annual cost of maintenance. 

A similarly difficult problem of Metro- 
politan Boston was water supply. The 
city of Boston had already constructed 
a large and exjiensive system, the prin- 
ciple feature of which was Lake Co- 
chituate, about twenty miles from (ity 
Hall, but that system was outgrown 
almost before it was completed. The 
other cities and towns were supplying 
themselves from local sources, which were 
becoming less and less adequate in volume, 
and more and more subjectetl to danger 
of pollution, on accoiuit of the increasing 
congestion of the i:iopulation. The doctors 
and health officers declared war upon 
this prospective pestilence and famine, 
and, as the sewer experiment had worked 
well, a Metropolitan Water District was 
created, to be composed of the city of 
Boston and such other cities and towns 
within about ten miles as chose to enter 
then or at a future time, when their own 
supply proved insufficient. Although 
this also was an engineering problem, 
similar in most respects to that of sewage 
disposal, it was thought best to place 
it in different hands, and a new board 
was created, called the Metropolitan 
Water Board, with a new set of commis- 
sioners, engineers, etc., and a new center 
of o])eration. ("^Fhis situation contiiuied 
until (Governor Crane recommended the 
creation of a new board of three com- 
missioners, to take over the work of 
both of the old boards, then in the midst 



of their great tasks, and this consolida- 
tion was accomplished with much econ- 
omy and benefit.) The Water Board was 
given great power and responsibilities. 
They took whole townships, razed build- 
ings, transplanted cemeteries, and made 
a large lake in Worcester County, forty 
miles from Boston. The water is con- 
ducted to the district in great mains, 
and distributed to the consumer through 
the local mains owned and maintained 
by the different municipalities. The 
growth of the metropolis has been so 
rapid, and the use of water so reckless, 
that the Metropolitan Water and Sewer- 
age Board served notice upon us several 
years ago that at the present rate of 
consumption it would be but a short 
time before further sources of supply 
must be developed, at an additional 
expense of perhaps $4(),()0(),{)00. 

The equally wonderful, though less 
practically and immediately urgent. Met- 
ropolitan Park system, grew out of the 
foresight of a number of public-spirited 
citizens, who pointed out that large 
areas of great natural beauty, like 
Middlesex Fells, Waverley Oaks, etc., 
could then be secured at very low cost, 
and that if left in their natural state, 
with very little expenditure they would 
make a park system that would be in- 
creasingly valuable as the population 
increased. This theory has proved cor- 
rect in ])ractice, except in the matter of 
exjiense. No sooner were the lands 
obtained than urgent demands came for 
more takings, and for the construction 
of beautiful boulevards to connect the 
parks with each other, and these de- 
mands, so strong as to be irresistible by 
the legislature, together with the am- 
bitious itch that always possesses our 
admirable landscape architects to "im- 
])rove" upon nature, resulted in a few 
years in loading the districts with a 
park debt and maintenance account that 
woidd have astounded its original spon- 
sors. To carry out this project, still 
another commission was created, the 
Metropolitan Park Commission, with 
another complement of engineers and 
satellites, and another headquarters en- 
tirely separated from the other metro- 
])olitan enterprises. The Charles River 
Basin project, for which we are indebted 
to Mr. Storrow, was essentially one 



METROPOLITAN BOSTON 



109 



that should have been executed by the 
MetropoHtan Park Commission, but at 
the time of its adoption the conditions 
were such that it was felt that the legislat- 
ure would not pass the bill unless the work 
was ])laced in other hands, and there- 
fore still another commission was created, 
with a full outfit of offices and employees, 
known as the Charles River Rasin Com- 
mission. This has been short-lived. It 
has about completed its work, quickly 
and admirably, and will this year go 
out of existence, turning the Basin over 
to the Park Commission. 

It will be observed that all of these 
great works, costing upwards of $80,000,- 
000, built for the benefit, and at the ex- 
pense, of thirty-nine cities and towns 
which are practically all included wholly 
or in part within a radius of ten miles 
of the City Hall, have been carried on 
by the Commonwealth. The legislature 
authorized them, the governor appointed 
the commissioners to carry them out, 
the commissioners did the work under 
their direction, the state auditor audited 
the accounts, and the state treasurer 
issued the bonds and paid the bills for 
construction and maintenance. The 
local authorities had nothing to do with 
it, except to participate in the benefits, 
and j)ay the debt. So far as the finances 
were concerned this was proper and 
essential, under the circumstances, be- 
cause the state was loaning its credit, 
and should have complete control of 
the situation in this respect. The result 
of these enterprises has been wonder- 
fully beneficial. They have been carried 
out with remarkable fidelity and skill. 
Too great praise cannot be given to the 
governors for the kind of commissioners 
that have been appointed, nor to the 
commissioners for the work that has 
been done, the difficulties of which are 
too little understood or appreciated. 

This system riiay therefore be said to 
have been very successful, but it was 
recognized from the first that it was in- 
complete, and that it needed a more 
definite and direct local connection. In 
consequence the legislature of 1894 passed 
an act creating a jVIetropolitan District 
Commission, which was instructed to 
investigate the following subjects and to 
report back to the succeeding legislature: 

First. The advisability of establishing 



a general government, with limited 
powers, for the city of Boston and the 
surrounding cities and towns, generally 
denominated as the metropolitan dis- 
trict, allowing each municipality inde- 
pendence in local affairs, but conferring 
upon the general government authority 
in matters which can be administered 
to better advantage by the general 
government. 

Second. The advisability of uniting 
such cities and towns into one munici- 
pality by annexing the same, or any of 
them, to the city of Boston. 

Third. The advisability of any other 
system of entire or partial union of such 
municipalities for purposes of municipal 
administration. 

This commission was originally com- 
posed of William B. Rice, Osborne Howes 
and Charles P. Curtis, Jr., but Mr. 
Curtis resigned to become police com- 
missioner, and was succeeded by William 
Power Wilson. After an exhaustive in- 
vestigation, during which Mr. Howes 
went to Europe and studied the systems 
in vogue there, the commission reported 
two general conclusions reached, as 
follows : 

First. That there is no manifest and 
general demand for the annexation of 
the other cities and towns of the Metro- 
politan district to Boston. 

Second. That it is desirable to sim- 
plify the now complicated systems of 
government of this metropolitan district 
by bringing all of its municipalities 
within the boundaries of a single county, 
this to have larger legislative and ad- 
ministrative powers than counties in 
this state have hitherto possessed. 

But the creation of a new Metro- 
politan County was a step far in advance 
of public wishes or willingness. The met- 
ropolitan district included the whole of 
Suffolk and parts of three other counties 
— Norfolk, Essex and Middlesex — and the 
county seats of three of these — Boston, 
Cambridge and Dedham — with all the 
county buildings, records, etc. The logic 
of the commissioners' arguments was 
irresistible. They found a nest of "com- 
plex and irresponsible governments" ex- 
isting in a "group which should be treated 
as a political unit" including, "besides 
the necessary state and local govern- 
ments, four county governments and 



110 



NEW BOSTON 



three boards of commissioners, each 
independent of the other, all of the last 
three varying in areas over which their 
jurisdiction extends, and none of the 
entire seven, with the possible exception 
of the Boston Board of Aldermen and 
street commissioners, owing a direct 
accountability to, or coming fairly in 
touch with the people." 

With these facts before them, the 
Metropolitan District Commission felt 
obliged to recommend drastic changes, 
and by so doing they defeated the object 
for which they were ajjpointed; namely, 
to bring about co-operation between the 
cities and towns comprising the district, 
in matters of general and common 
interest to the district as a whole, and 
leaving to each municipality full control 
of its own local affairs as before. 

This absence of co-operation is the 
glaring defect of the present system. 
The executive heads of the thirty-nine 
cities and towns comprising the district 
have had nothing to say about metro- 
politan improvements, unless they volun- 
teered their advice to commissioners over 
whom they had no authority (and with 
whom they were often at loggerheads 
over the many difficulties that inevitably 
arose between local and state officials) 
or through their representatives in the leg- 
islature. These representatives were often 
divided in their allegiance, representing 
more than one town, or belonged to a 
different political party from the town 
or city executive; and they were seldom 
familiar with the finances of their munici- 
palities. The local executives had no 
organization, and therefore were obliged 
to act individually in all matters except 
as they were able to enlist the help of 
neighboring executives in the settlement 
of questions of common interest. The 
plans for metropolitan improvements 
never had their united attention or ap- 
proval, but were put through the legis- 
lature piecemeal, year after year, upon 
petition of small groups of individuals 
who combined to carry out their pet 
projects. The local representatives were 
usually more or less concerned with these 
combinations, but even if a majority 
of them o])iK)sed they were often quite 
helpless, because the membership of the 
legislature from the metropolitan district 
is only about two-fifths of the entire 



membership. In other words, upon 
matters affecting the metropolitan dis- 
trict only, the local executives who must 
raise the money have no power to restrain 
or even advise, and the local represen- 
tatives are outvoted almost two to 
one by members who represent outside 
constituencies, from Berkshire to the 
Cape, which do not have to pay one cent 
of the cost of the metropolitan improve- 
ments. There are many instances on 
record where expenditures have been 
authorized by the vote of this outside 
majority, against the vote of a large 
majority of the metropolitan members. 
This is all on the negative side, but it 
is now very important, because the met- 
ropolitan debt has become a great bur- 
den to the municipalities of the district, 
and the metropolitan expenditure for 
maintenance is the terror of the local 
officials, who have no power to check 
or regulate it. 

Co-operation between the local authori- 
ties as a body, and the commissioners, 
would remove most of this uncertainty 
and consequent friction, but that is by 
far the smallest part of the good that it 
would accomplish. In connection with 
this, the affirmative side of co-operation, 
the Metropolitan District Commission 
may again be quoted. Referring to the 
sewer district legislation, they said: 

'Tt was not at that time foreseen that 
this metropolitan work would be shortly 
followed by a metropolitan park scheme, 
a metropolitan water project, and that 
later on it would or will have for its 
successors plans of a metropolitan charac- 
ter for main roads, the regulation of 
transportation, the preservation of health, 
the control of contagious diseases and 
other broad administrative subjects. In 
the sewerage matter a board of three 
commissioners, appointed by the gover- 
nor, was created, for the reason that 
there was no other authority that could 
carry on the work as fairly representing 
all of the interested communities; and, 
having once adopted this method of 
procedure, it was found easy to continue 
it when other projects were brought 
forward." 

Most of the jirojects thus prophesied 
have since been brought forward by 
groups of influential citizens, have been 
made the subject of an exhaustive report 



METROPOLITAN BOSTON 



111 



by the recent Metropolitan Improve- 
ment Commission, and are now being 
further considered by a heterogeneous 
body known as the "Big Four," com- 
prising the Boston Transit Commission, 
the MetropoHtan Park Commission, the 
State Railroad Commission and the State 
Harbor and Land Commission, who also 
have had referred to them various other 
metropolitan improvements. Only one 
of the constituent bodies is a metro- 
politan organization, and at least two 
of them have their hands pretty full of 
the special business for which they exist. 

Supposing that organized co-operation 
had existed between the units of the 
metropolitan district, is it not certain 
that all of these improvements and many 
others would have been discovered, dis- 
cussed and either vigorously forwarded or 
dropped, as an intelligent and experienced 
view of the districts' interests dictated.'* 

Metropolitan Boston is actually a 
great business federation wdth its official 
and progressive equipment only half 
developed, and systematic co-ordination 
of its departments entirely neglected. 
Imagine any other business institution 
composed of thirty-nine departments 
in which the executive officers of the 
local departmental affairs never met in 
consultation with each other or with the 
officers in charge of the general adminis- 
tration of the most important affairs of 
the whole concern! Such an institution 
might live and even move forward, but 
it could never achieve its greatest pos- 
sibilities and it could never hope to hold 
its own in competition with alert, prop- 
erly organized rivals. 

Mr. Howes, of the Metropolitan Dis- 
trict Commission, became convinced be- 
fore his death that much of the good 
which his commission believed required 
a new county government could in fact 
be accomplished by co-operation be- 
tween the local authorities, and for 
two successive years he brought together 
the chief executives of most of the thirty- 
nine cities and towns of the district, who 
with substantial unanimity endorsed a 
proposition to create a Metropolitan 
Boston Council which should have official 
standing and should meet and consider 
all matters of general metropolitan in- 
terest. With Mayor Fitzgerald's assist- 
ance, several meetings were unofficially 



held, and the result of these meetings 
was a series of recommendations upon 
pending legislation to the legislative 
Committee on Metropolitan Affairs, 
which were of great assistance to that 
committee, and were adopted almost 
wholly. The proposed Metropolitan 
Boston Council bill was a modification 
of one that was already pending before 
the Committee on Metropolitan Affairs, 
introduced by the writer, and it created 
a council of thirty-nine, composed of 
the mayors of the cities and the chairmen 
of the boards of selectmen of the towns 
of the district. This council was required 
to organize, elect officers, and to consider 
all metropolitan matters submitted to 
the legislature, reporting their recom- 
mendations, if any, to the legislature. 
Their powers were wholly advisory, but 
officially organized they would be able 
to do many things and to make their 
influence felt more strongly than is pos- 
sible without such organization. This, 
again, is only a small part of what the 
advocates of the council hoped to gain. 
The great benefit that would arise from 
such an organization would be in the 
new ways and means that would surely 
be discovered of improving commercial 
and social conditions throughout the 
whole community by co-operation be- 
tween the now disconnected units that 
compose it. Such a body could not 
possibly meet to consider the affairs of 
this district without seeing numerous 
ways in which great improvements could 
be made, and by co-operating with one 
another and comparing notes they would 
not only benefit the district as a whole, 
but would bring about a uniformity of 
ordinances, by-laws and regulations all 
over the district which would be of 
infinite advantage. In other words, it 
is believed that through such a body a 
system of co-operation would develop 
that would give to the community many, 
and perhaps nearly all, of the benefits 
of a consolidated city, with none of its 
drawbacks; and the men composing this 
council would be about the last in the 
whole district to advocate or consent to 
annexation. The recent Metropolitan 
Improvement Commission recommended 
such a body especially to consider the 
problem of main thoroughfares. 

The Metropolitan Boston Council Bill 



112 



NEW BOSTON 



has been presented to the legislature for 
several years, but has only been con- 
sidered two years, owing to the Boston 
Charter legislation. In both these years 
it has been unanimously favored by the 
Committee on Metropolitan Affairs, and 
in one by the Committee on Ways and 
Means. This year the latter committee 
opposed it (it carries the princely appro- 
priation of $1,000) for reasons that were 
not superficially clear. It has been de- 
feated in the house on both occasions, 
partly because some people cannot be 
made to see that it is not a "Greater 
Boston" measure in the annexation 
sense, partly for other reasons which 
perhaps cannot be profitably discussed, 
and partly because the public insistence 



which is necessary to overcome small 
fears and jealousies has never been 
aroused and organized by a general 
campaign. The press has almost unani- 
mously favored the bill, and this year 
gave it most emphatic endorsement, 
editorially and otherwise. It is an 
essentially co-operative measure, and if 
it could have the endorsement and active 
support of the general co-operative move- 
ment of which Boston-1915 is the center, 
its enactment would be certain. But 
whether this or some other measure pre- 
vails, or a new commission is created to 
answer for the year 1911 the same ques- 
tions that the old commission answered 
for 1896, it must not be forgotten that this 
is a vital question for Boston-191o. 



COUNTING THE COST 



The report of the Massachusetts Com- 
mission on the Cost of Living is a re- 
markable volume. In some respects 
it has never been equalled. The Legis- 
lature saw fit to instruct that a question 
touching nearly every phase of political 
economy and of sociology should be 
answered adecjuately within two months. 
The Commission was appointed March 9, 
and handed in its report on the first 
legislative day of May, sharp on time, 
one of the very few state commissions 
that was ever punctual. The magnitude 
of the work had led about everybody 
to predict that no attempt at prompt- 
ness would be made. Yet the material 
was gathered and the manuscrij)t was 
j)repared for a volume of more than 
seven hundred pages in a little more 
than seven weeks. This was made pos- 
sible by the fact that two members of 
the commission. Chairman Robert Luce 
and Edward F. McSweeney, and its 
secretary. Prof. F. Spencer Baldwin, 
combined a newspaper training with 
special knowledge of the economic field. 
Henry Al)rahams, secretary of the Boston 
Central La})or Union, Albion F. Bemis, 
who has served in both branches of the 
Legislature and in the Governor's Coun- 
cil, and Mederic J. Laporte, a business 



man of Holyoke, were able to contribute 
from practical experience with affairs. 
The result is a volume that covers a 
surprising amount of ground, crammed 
with facts and figures bearing on prac- 
tically all the ecomonic relations of 
modern society. 

Of course it was the first task of the 
commission to find out just what has 
been the increase in the cost of living. 
So the first quarter of the book is devoted 
to a detailed study of statistics of whole- 
sale and retail price fluctuations for a 
generation past, with particular atten- 
tion to the recent history of the costs 
of the chief items of living expense — 
food, rent, and clothing. The meat 
situation received careful analysis, cold 
storage was investigated, produce and 
proA'isions of all sorts were studied. In 
accordance with the special direction 
of the Legislature, the complaints about 
slate in the domestic coal supplies of 
Boston were made the basis of a special 
and adequate report by ex-Represen- 
tative Myron E. Pierce. The rest of 
the main part of the report is devoted 
to consideration of the causes of the 
increase in the cost of living, and sug- 
gestions of remedies. 

Family incomes and expenses vary 



COUNTING THE COST 



113 



so much, with such differences in earn- 
ing capacity, habits and tastes, that 
evidently the commission did not care 
to commit itself to a generalization as to 
just how much the cost of living has 
risen. That was not necessary for its 
purposes, and might be misleading. 
But from the many figures it gives one 
might tiraw the deduction that, speaking 
in the broadest way, the cost of living 
is from a fifth to a quarter higher than 
it was ten years ago, and from a quarter 
to a third higher than it was at the low 
point, in 1807. The proof is indis])utable 
that increase has been a world-wide 
phenomenon, though varying in degree 
in different countries. With nearly all 
the economists the commission agrees 
that the only cause which can produce 
such a condition is an increase in money, 
and this is borne out by the figures as 
to the unprecedented increase in the 
production of gold in late years, and of 
credit money based on the new gold 
supplies. So far as this is the cause, 
no remedy is apparent, certainly none 
within the power of a single common- 
wealth. But this fundamental cause, 
the commission believes, has been ag- 
gravated in its effects here by local 
phenomena. It finds that a large variety 
of influences have joined to increase the 
effect of a plethora of money. It finds 
that the people themselves are in an 
important degree responsible for their 
troubles, and that intelligent action 
could offset the hardships of rising 
prices in many directions where public 
and private welfare might also thereby 
gain benefits quite apart from those of 
a mercenary nature. 

The first and foremost of these op- 
portunities for advance lies in the direc- 
tion of economy. The wastes of modern 
life, both social and individual, get in 
the commission's report most compre- 
hensive and thorough treatment. Start- 
ling statistics demonstrate the waste 
of war, militarism, national armaments, 
naval outlay. Figures show the rising 
scale of expenditure for the costs of 
government — national, state and local — 
not necessarily a waste, but a new out- 
lay adding its share to the general total 
of increase. Attention is called to the 
burdens of crime, pauperism, insanity, 
accident, disease, unemployment, and 



the like, with alarming totals of the 
aggregate of the cost of maintaining 
the defectives of Massachusetts. Next 
comes discussion of individual wastes — 
those due to drink, to inordinate luxury, 
to excess in amusement, and to waste 
in the household, Prof. Ellen H. Richards 
furnishing the chapter on domestic 
waste. 

Wastage having been disposed of as 
an uneconomic expenditure, then follows 
critical study of the economic causes of 
higher prices, those affecting supply 
or demand. Under the head of supply 
are treated factors which many think 
the most important. First of these is 
the change in the distribution of popula- 
tion, which has led to a great increase 
in the number of city dwellers, with 
great falling off in the proportion of the 
total remaining on the farms. Equally 
significant are the facts about the ex- 
haustion of natural resources. The 
truth is that we have reached the end 
of extensive cultivation, and must now 
resort to intensive cultivation. This 
means fertilizers, and fertilizing costs 
money. We have skimmed the cream 
off the land. There is no more virgin 
soil, save what may be reclaimed by 
irrigation, and the quantity of that is 
not enough to promise us cheap beef 
again or a chance to renew our exports 
of cereals. 

The commission points out that we 
have in sight no considerable gains in 
processes of production, transportation, 
or manufacture. It cannot be shown 
that the farmer, the railroad owner, 
or the manufacturer is making excessive 
profit, or that the ex])enses of any one 
of the three can be importantly reduced. 
The great waste of our economic system 
is rather to be sought in the processes 
of distribution that employ the middle- 
men. It is not charged that the jobber, 
the wholesaler, or the retailer is indi- 
vidually overpaid, but it is charged that 
the system of distribution is extrava- 
gantly and needlessly expensive. 

In this field, the commission points 
out, lies the great op[)ortunity for such 
movements as that of Boston-1015 and 
all the other agencies for co-operative 
effort that can be developed. Dr. 
Alexander E. Cance of the ^Massachusetts 
Agricultural College supplemented the 



114 



NEW BOSTON 



work of the coinniis.siou itself on this 
subject, with nuiiUM-ous suggestions of 
practical value, chiefly relating to the 
distribution of perishable farm products. 
Neither Dr. Cance nor Prof. Brooks 
looks to the New England farm for much 
help in reducing jjrices, but each sees 
ways of getting the products of that 
farm to the consumer with marked gain 
over |)resent methods. There should 
be co-operation in getting produce from 
the farm to the railroad, in sorting, 
packing and shi])ping. There should be 
effort i)ut into developing proj)er terminal 
facilities in the cities, j^rovision made 
for the storage of perishable food 
products, the introduction into Massa- 
chusetts of sales methods already found 
efficacious elsewhere. Especially should 
there be progress in developing the trolley 
freight opportunity already so well es- 
tablished in the West. Massachusetts 
lags behind in this matter. Putting 
our present electric lines to their full 
use and building others through farming 
districts- would mean great gains in the 
handling of milk, vegetables, all sorts 
of farm products. Another chance for 
bringing producer and consumer to- 
gether will come when public opinion 
proves too strong for the express mono- 
poly and compels the parcels post. 
Then in our buying we can save many a 
middleman's charge just as is the familiar 
thing in Germany. 

The commission does not give a clean 
bill of health to the tariff or to the trade 
unions, as was inferred by many from the 
necessarily brief abstract at first given 
out. It says that to neither of these 
causes can be laid the recent increase 
in prices so far as it is general. With less 
than ten per cent of the labor of the 
country organized, the commission's 
conclusion cannot be questioned. Yet 
statements enough from employers are 
quoted to show that in i)articular direc- 
tions the shortening of hours and in- 
crease of wages nmst have raised some 
prices. Whether there have been com- 
pensating advantages was not part of 
the commission's problem. Also, were 
there no tariff, very likely the cost of 
living would be less, but the income with 
which to meet it might be lower still, 
and here, too, the commission a])i)ears 



not to have felt that it had the time to 
strike a balance between gain and loss. 
But having been specifically instructed 
to consider the tariff, it went into the 
subject far enough to show that the 
usual comparisons between prices here 
and in Canada or abroad are most 
misleading. As a matter of fact, the 
increase in the cost of living in Canada 
has been greater than here, and it has 
risen in free trade England as well as 
protected Germany. Members of the 
commission, accompanied by the presi- 
dent of the Fruit and Produce Exchange 
and a leading grocer chosen by grocers' 
associations, visited Canadian cities in 
order to make comparisons exact in 
point of qualities as well as in money 
prices. They found meats slightly lower 
there, groceries slightly higher. On the 
whole, in places of the same size and 
with similar conditions, the total cost 
of living with the same amount of com- 
fort, luxury, and convenience, is not 
materially different in the two countries. 
The wage scale, however, is the higher 
here. 

The commission made few specific 
recommendations for legislation. No 
reasonable man ever hoped it would be 
able to show how the operation of 
economic laws could be reversed by 
statute. It did, however, accomplish 
its legitimate purpose, that of putting 
within reach of every citizen the facts 
of the situation. In doing this it set 
forth a large number and variety of 
opportunities for public-spirited men 
in and out of the halls of legislation to 
join in steps looking toward public and 
private economy — a more effective use 
of social and individual resources. More 
intelligent legislation in many directions 
must follow perusal of the report, more 
enthusiastic effort on the part of com- 
mercial and philanthropic bodies. Pos- 
sibly conceived with a political purpose, 
the investigation was comi)letely diverted 
therefrom by the commission itself. 
Partisanship appears to have been 
tabooed from beginning to end. So 
the report takes on a scientific impor- 
tance that will bring credit to the com- 
monwealth, from its quality as a con- 
tribution of permanent value to 
economic literature. 



The Further Use of School Buildings 



BY FANNIE FERN ANDREWS 



In the widespread effort to make 
Boston a beautiful city, the most beauti- 
ful city in the world, no element is more 
fundamental than the educational. There 
is no more important body of workers 
than the teachers whose aim is to train 
children to become the efficient, worthy 
citizens of the next generation. If we 
could be assured that the boys and girls 
of today would, as men and women, carry 
out the present ideals of the many earnest 
workers, we should indeed be assured of 
a fine city in the future. Universal recog- 
nition of the value of training children 
is evidenced by the thorough system of 
public schools throughout the length 
and breadth of the land. The purpose 
of teachers everywhere is to make these 
institutions minister to the highest de- 
velopment of the children. 

The schoolhouse, however, has a still 
broader function in the making of a fine 
city. It can serve not only as an educa- 
tional institution for the young, but also 
as an intellectual and social meeting 
place for boys and girls who have left 
school, and for adults in the school neigh- 
borhood. Indeed, this idea has become 
pretty firmly established in the minds of 
those who lead the educational move- 
ment. 

The "further use of school buildings" 
has become a matter of common discus- 
sion. As to the best method, however, 
of carrying out the idea, we find no 
general agreement. jMany cities have 
tried experiments; some have emphasized 
certain phases of extended activity, 
while others have pursued wholly dif- 
ferent policies. Perhaps, however, those 
activities commonly designated as com- 
ing under the "further use of school 
buildings" may be divided into two 
general classes, recreational and educa- 
tional, both these terms being inter- 
preted in the broad sense. New York 
City offers a model in her efficiently 
organized recreation centres, and also 
in her extensive public lecture work. 



Rochester stands out prominently in 
her plan for the use of the schoolhouse 
as a "social centre," which combines 
both recreational and educational ac- 
tivities; while each of these cities main- 
tains evening schools for academic in- 
struction. 

It may be well to note here that prob- 
ably in no department of the educational 
system can we find a better illustration 
of the growth in the use of school build- 
ings than in the evening schools them- 
selves. Whereas, the instruction first 
offered to those attending evening school 
consisted of a narrow academic course, 
running somewhat parallel to the then 
insufficient day school curriculum, the 
progressive evening school of today is 
keeping a fair pace with the new subjects 
introduced into the day school, and is 
adapting its course of study more and 
more to the particular needs of those 
who offer themselves as evening school 
students. We find, for example, in the 
regular courses of many evening schools, 
besides the purely academic work, stenog- 
raphy, typewriting, wood-working, free- 
hand drawing, dressmaking, millinery 
and domestic science. The New York 
evening trade schools offer the following 
subjects: carpentry and joinery, cabinet- 
making, pattern-making, blacksmithing, 
plumbing, machine shop work, printing 
and typesetting, mathematics, free-hand, 
architectural and mechanical drawing, 
machine design, applied electricity, steam 
engineering, electric wiring and installa- 
tion, industrial chemistrj^ applied phys- 
ics, advanced dressmaking, millinery and 
domestic science. 

Certainly, this evening school develop- 
ment illustrates the general feeling that 
school property ought to be utilized for 
the improvement of the people. The 
term "social centre" has come to be used 
to express a more general neighborhood 
use of the school plant, and yet this term 
by no means stands for any uniform 
program. Many so-called social centre 



llo 



116 NEW BOSTON 

activities in one city are considered a buildings should be open for both educa- 
part of the regular evening school cur- tional and recreational activities; and 
riculum in another; and in spite of the secondly, as to the degree in which any 
difference in terms, the general result one neighborhood should use its school- 
seems to be the same. It might be sug- house. 

gested that, in view of this confusion Having in mind the broad and varied 
and also on account of the notable lay uses of the Boston schoolhouses for 
interest in the matter, a nomenclature evening school activities, as shown in 
of terms should be adopted. This un- the chart at the close of this article, the 
doubtedly would help to clarify the Committee on the Further Use of School 
minds of those who believe in the further Buildings of the Boston Home and School 
use of school buildings, yet have not Association, acting in the capacity of 
fully decided as to the exact uses to which the Advisory Committee on the Further 
school buildings should be put. In the Use of School Buildings, appointed by 
general discussion there seems to be a the Boston School Committee, has pro- 
difference of opinion, on two points at posed the following plan which has been 
least; first, as to whether the school accepted by the School Committee: 



A. ACTIVITIES. 

I. Parents' Association Meetings. 

1. Three Aims. 

a. To provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to meet each other. 

b. To provide an opportunity for the study of child development. 

c. To promote the educational and civic welfare of the school district. 

2. Administration. 

a. Initial steps for organization taken by Home and School Association. 

b. Each parents' association becomes self-supporting and self-directing. 

c. Home and School Association, through its central committees and News Letter, suggests 

lines of activities. 

II. Vocational Activities. 

1. Description. 

a. Work with Parents. 

a. Vocational lectures at regular meetings of the parents" associations, or at special meet- 

ings. After the lecture, opportunity given for personal conversation with the 
lecturer. Questionaire for parents given out at the meetings. 

b. Four vocational evenings, in consecutive weeks, where parents may consult with 

vocational advisers — this to be arranged in each parents' association district. 

b. Work with Young Men. 

a. A vocational club in each evening school, meeting one evening a week during the 
evening school period. Young men not under fourteen and not over twenty-five. 

c. Activities of Vocational Clubs. 

a. Study of vocational qualifications and opportunities under the direction of a Vo- 
cational Counsellor, who will aim to be informed as to the demands for workers. 

6. Club might become co-operative where boys help each other to get jobs. (Quincy 
School Club.) 
i. Administration. 

a. Work with Parents. 

a. General supervision — Vocation Committee of Home and School Association and 

Vocation Bureau. 

b. Immediate supervision — Director of Home and School Association. 

b. Work with Young Men. 

a. General supervision — Director of Evening Schools, represented by the Master of 

the Evening School. 

b. Immediate supervision — Women's Municipal League and Vocation Bureau. 

c. General executive work in charge of Director of Vocational clubs. 



THE FURTHER USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS 117 

III. Junior Civic Clubs, or Junior City Councils. 

1. Description. 

a. A Junior Civic Club in each ev'ening school, meeting one evening a week during the even- 

ing school period. Young men not under fourteen and not over twenty-five. 

b. Activities of Junior Civic Clubs. 

a. Study of municipal problems by outside lecturers and through debates carried on by 
members of the clubs under the leadership of the paid Director. 

2. Administration. 

a. General supervision — Director of Evening Schools, represented by the Master of the 

Evening School. 
1). Immediate supervision — Civic Committee of the Boston Home and School Association 

and Civic Conference of Boston-1915. 

c. General executive work in charge of the Director of the Home and School Association. 
l\. Reading Circles or Discussion Clubs — Mothers' Classes. 

1. Aims. 

a. To make a study of different phases of child training, through the medium of well-written 

books. (A permanent library or travelling library should be at the disposal of the clubs.) 

b. To discuss child problems which require very careful consideration. 

c. To give instruction to mothers in cooking and the general care of the home. (The mothers 

who need this especially' are those who have anaemic children, of which there are about 
5,000 in Boston.) 

2. Administration. 

a. All organized by the local Parents' Association with the aid of the Director of the Boston 

Home and School Association. 

b. Assistance given by the Committee of the Home and School Association which have 

these special lines of work in charge. 

c. Books supplied by the Boston Public Library. 
V. Popular Lectures. 

1. Aims — To present subjects of interest to all classes of people. (Modeled after the New York 

system of lectures.) 

2. Administration. 

a. General supervision — Director of Evening Schools. 

b. Immediate supervision — Committee on Further Use of School Buildings of the Home 

and School Association, acting with the local Parents' Association. 
\T. Evenings with Pictures. 
L Aims. 

a. To give stereopticon exhibits in the school halls of photographs of pictures foimd in the 

Art Museum, for the purpose of raising the standard of appreciation in art. 

b. To persuade people to \asit the Art Museum so as to view the originals. 
2. Administration. 

a. Pictures loaned by the Art Museum. 

b. Audiences secured by the Parents' Associations with the aid of the Home and School 

Director. 

c. Lecturer to explain pictures secured l)y Social Service Committee of the Women's Munic- 

ipal League. 

d. Immediate supervision — Director of Home and School Association and Women's Munic- 

ipal League. 
MI. Music. 

1. Aims. 

a. To raise the standard of appreciation in music by forming choral classes and orchestra 

in each school district. Voluntary services of fine musicians should be sought. 

b. To give annually a musical festival when the best nuisicians from each district will take 

part. 

c. To get speakers to explain the operas. 

2. Administration. 

a. General supervision — Committee on Music. 

b. Executive work done by the Director of the Home and School Association. 



118 



NEW BOSTON 



III. 



IV 



B. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. 

I. Salary of Director of Homo and School Association. 

II. Salary of Stenographer. 

III. Expense of Office. 

C. DISTRIBUTION OF EXPENSE. 

I. Parents' Association Meetings. 

Boston Home and School A.ssociation. 

II. Vocational Activities. 

1. Work with Parents. 

Boston Home and School Association. 

2. Work with Yonng Men. 

Women's Mnnicii)al League. 
\'ocation Bnreau. 

.Iiinior Civic Connc-ils. 

Boston-1915. 

Heading Circles. 

Bostcm Home and School A.ssocialion. 

Mothers' Cla.sses. 

Boston School Committee. 
\'. Popular Lectures. 

Boston Home and School Association. 
^T. Evenings with Pictures. 

Women's Municipal League. 

Boston Home and School Association. 
\II. Music. 

Boston Home and School Association and Local Parents' .\ssociations. 
\'III. General Administrative Expenses. 

Boston Home and School .Association. 

It will be noted that this plan confine.s 
it.self to educational activitie.s, and that 
the.se are spread over several school dis- 
tricts. Further, it is seen that in all cases 
hut one the activities are to be initiated 
by lay organizations. 

In proposing these seven lines of 
activity, the Advisory Committee does 
not ofi'er anything new, since all of the.se 
have V)een carried on to a greater or less 
extent in the Boston .schoolhouses during 
the past year. Some thirty ])arents' 
associations, for example, are spread over 
the city; several vocational lectures have 
been given, either at the regular meetings 
of the parents' associations or at special 
meetings; in one .school district, consecu- 
tive vocational evenings have been ar- 
ranged; one or two vocational clubs are 
already in existence; one or more junior 
civic clubs are flourishing; one parents' 
association has organized a reading circle; 
in two districts mothers' classes are car- 
ried on; a few ])()pular lectures have at- 
tracted the people to the .schoolhouses; 
five or six evenings with ])ictures have 
j)roved highly instructive and entertain- 



ing; and one or more choral classes have 
added to the musical interest. 

In limiting the proposed plan to educa- 
tional activities, the Committee does not 
mean to condemn the use of school build- 
ings for recreation purposes. Its aim 
is to develop a program which can be 
carried out in the immediate future, and 
for this reason it was thought best to 
confine the plan to those generally ac- 
cepted activities for wdiich schoolhouses 
may be used, and in pursuance of wdiich 
no changes in the present construction 
of schoolhouses is made necessary. 

In adopting a plan which covers prac- 
tically the whole city, the Committee 
emphasizes the policy of developing 
gradually an appreciative use of the 
school buildings outside of school hours, 
and so therefore to answer the real needs 
of a community. 

These needs cannot be determined 
suddenly; the neighborhood must be 
studied carefully in all its phases; more- 
over, the people themselves should con- 
stitute an imi)ortant element in develop- 
ing a plan intended for neighborhood 



THE FURTHER USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS 



11« 



improvement. The ])eople, not the 
.schoolhouse, should l)e the first point 
of approach. 

This policy seems preferable to the 
social centre idea which throws ojjen the 
schoolhouse to a neighborhood and offers 
at once many and varied activities to 
attract the people within its doors. This 
latter plan practically eliminates the 
building-up process which is almost 
always a prerec(uisite for permanent 
success. ISIoreover, the great expense 
involved in running a full social centre 
is an obstacle to the plan. The Advisory 
Committee considers it more desirable 
to distribute this money among many 
districts to carry on activities which the 
people really desire. It must be noted 
that the situation in Boston is different 
from that of most cities, in that it con- 
tains already organized groups of people 
in many of the school districts, whose 
function is to study the needs of the 
neighborhood, and who already have 
initiated substantial plans for the further 
use of school buildings. To a great ex- 
tent, these groups of people or parents' 
associations, as they are called, should 
help to determine the uses to which 
schoolhouses should be put. Naturally 
conservative, they will enter upon no 
scheme which is not fundamentally im- 
portant for the neighborhood. 

In the plan submitted by the Com- 
mittee, only one activity is designated 
as properly coming under the authority 
of the School Committee, that on 
Mothers' Classes. Since this is so ap- 
parently a part of the hygiene depart- 
ment of the school system, the Com- 
mittee thought that this should at once 
be started under official sanction. As 
to the much-mooted question, whether 
the activities coming under the further 
use of school buildings should be sup- 
ported by the School Committee, the 



policy of the Advisory Committee may 
be seen in the following communication 
prepared for presentation to the School 
Committee: 

'"We believe in so-called social centre 
work, but we also believe that this should 
be carried on, as far as possible, by the 
people themselves. In this work, we 
hope to develop the spirit of doing some- 
thing, not only for the good of the in- 
dividual, ])ut for the good of the com- 
nuinity. We hope to eliminate in our 
work any tendency which may develop 
the spirit of getting something, either 
from the city, or from philanthropy. 
W^e believe that the social centre idea 
should be developed through the groups 
of parents and citizens in the several 
districts: First, because one aim of the 
parents' association is 'to promote 
the educational and social welfare of the 
community'; secondly, because such a 
])lan places the community's welfare in 
the hands of the community itself, which 
has a nucleus of organization in the 
parents' association; thirdly, because 
several of the parents' associations have 
already introduced activities, which 
might easily be developed along the 
social centre line. INIoreover, we think 
that the widely varying needs of the 
various districts will demand a corres- 
pondingly varied development of the 
social centre idea; and to make this ad- 
justment, it seems to us wise to follow 
the judgment of a body of citizens, al- 
ready organized, whose main interest 
is the welfare of its own community, 
and Avhose efforts are already pointed in 
this direction." 

The following chart, showing the loca- 
tion and courses of study in the public 
evening schools of Boston, illustrates 
the extended development of industrial 
branches in addition to the regular 
academic work of the school: 



SCHOOL 

Central School 



East Boston School 
Roxbury School 
Warren Avenue School 



BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 
EVENING INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS 

LOCATION 

Mechanic Arts Building, Belvidere and Dalton 
streets. Back Bay. 

BRANCHES 

Old High School, Meridian street. East Boston. 
Old Dearborn School, Dearborn Place, Roxbury. 
Public Latin School, Warren Avenue, City. 



120 



NEW BOSTON 



EVENING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 



Bigelow 

Bowdoin 

Coiniiis 

Eliot-C"()hinil)us 

Franklin 

Frederic AV. T.iiicoln 

Hancock 

Lyman ... 

Phillip.s Hn)()k.s School . 

Quincy 

Warren 

AVashinf,'t<)n Allston 

William Wirt Warren School 
Wells .... 



Mavhcw 



Fourth and E streets, South Boston. 

Myrtle street, W'est End, Boston. 

Terrace street, Koxbury. 

Nortli Bennett street. North End, Boston. 

Walt ham street, South End, Boston. 

Broadway, South Boston. 

Parmenter street, North End, Boston 

Paris street. East Boston. 

Quincy street, Dorchester. 

Tyler street, Boston. 

Pearl street, Charlestown. 

Cambridge street, Allston. 
with a branch in the 

Waverly street, Brighton. 

Blossom street, West End, Boston, 
with a branch in the 

Chambers street. West End, Boston. 



COURSE OF STUDY 
CENTRAL EVENING INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AND BRANCHES 



Freehand Drawing 
.\rchiteclural Drawing 
Machine Drawing 
Ship Draughting . 
Designing 

Steam Engineering 



Tool and Jig Making 

Building Estimating ......... 

Interior Decorating ......... 

Pattern Making 

Preparatory Cour.se for Lowell Institute for men preparing to be foremen. 



Three year course. 

Three year course. 

Three year course. 

Special practical instruction. 

Three year course. 

Theory and practice. 

Special course. 

Stationary Engineer. 

For machinists. 

For carpenters and builders. 

For painters. 

For pattern-makers. 



EVENING ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 

The course of instruction includes the teaching of English to adult beginners, special attention being 
given to foreign-born people who wish to obtain a knowledge of the English language — Reading, W'riting, 
Arithmetic, Language, Grammar, Bookkeeping, History, Geography, Civil Government, Physiology and 
Hygiene. 

In addition to this cour.sc of instruction, courses in Household Economics are also established as follows: 

Sewing, Dressmaking, Millinery, Embroidery, Woodworking, Cooking. 

Dressmaking, Sewing. 

Dressmaking, Millinery, Cooking, Sewing. 

Dressmaking, Sewing. 

Dressmaking, Sewing, Millinerj-, Embroidery. 

Dressmaking, Sewing, Millinery, Embroidery. 

Dressmaking, Sewing, Millinery. 

Sewing, Dressmaking, Millinery, Embroidery. 

Wood-working, Sewing, Cooking. 

Sewing, Dressmaking, Millinery. 

Sewing. 



Bigelow School 
Bowdoin School . 
Comins School 
Franklin School . 
F. W. Lincoln School 
Hancock School . 
Lyman School 
Phillii)s Brooks School 
Quincy School 
Warren School 
Washington Allston School 



PREVENTING INFANT MORTALITY 



BY CHARLOTTE KIMBALL KRUESI 



Philanthropies cannot phiy their part 
in making the growth of new Boston 
unless they take the spade and dig 
through the strata of palliatives and 
repairs down under the effects of civic dis- 
order to their roots, to the causes which 
obstruct what the by-laws of Boston-1915 
sum up as "the social, material, moral 
and intellectual welfare of Greater 
Boston." There is, however, a deter- 
mination on the part of some philan- 
thropic institutions, expressed for in- 
stance by the radical wing at the recent 
National Conference of Charities and 
Correction, to call a spade a spade and 
to wield the unattractive implement 
with both hands. To such builders the 
multiplication of children's hospitals, 
let us say, during the next decade would 
mean failure; they would use their spades 
to undermine the foundations. 

The Milk and Baby Hygiene Asso- 
ciation is of this mind also. It calls 
itself a sapper and miner, and takes the 
field against preventable death and 
disease as soon as the prospective citizen 
is born. It holds that the helper who 
stands at the threshold of life can "aid 
humanity with a distinctness and defin- 
iteness which no other help given to 
human creatures can possibly bestow." 
Its fundamental purpose is to safe- 
giiard well babies by all means at the 
command of current social science; and 
it is in action, concretely, to improve 
the milk supply, to prevent sickness 
and reduce mortality among babies, 
and to increase the vitality of children 
and their mothers. Its method, the 
success of which exceeds sanguine esti- 
mates, consists first of all in the dis- 
tribution at cost of clean milk from 
milk stations Avhich it has established in 
the neediest districts. Staffs of physicians 
and nurses at the stations supervise the 
care and feeding of baliies and advocate 
maternal nursing, while the nurses follow 
the children to the home to complete 
the circle. Instruction in the care of 



babies is given to high school girls by 
co-operation with the School Committee 
and also to fathers and mothers. Con- 
ferences, lectures, exhibits and publica- 
tions are offered to milk consumers in 
co-operation with public health authori- 
ties. The next extension about to be 
undertaken is expert research in bac- 
teriology, bio-chemistry and sociology 
with reference to infant mortality. 

The field in which the association 
works is distinguished by the highest 
mortality in society. Today, in the city 
limits a new-born child has less chance 
of living for a week than the citizen ninety 
years old; it has less chance of living 
through the year than has a man of 
eighty. 2,1'i'i babies under one year of 
age died in Boston in 1909, of whom 
seventy-five per cent might have been 
saved by means within the reach of 
science. Computed even at the unusually 
low rate of last year, 120 babies of every 
1,000 born in Boston are dying before 
they are a year old. And of all the babies 
born in the LTnited States one-third die 
under five years. It is this slaughter, 
so long accepted as a decree of biologic 
or divine law, that the association has 
been facing for five years, at first drawing 
from the experiences of its three or four 
contemporary societies— the New York 
Milk Committee and those led by Pierre 
Budin of Paris, Von Behring in Germany, 
and Cardona in Spain — but now depend- 
ing more and more upon the results of 
its own campaigning. 

During the last year it has cared for 
1,781 babies. Many of them were 
sturdy, but many others were starvelings 
or on the verge of desperate illness when 
sent to the association by clinics or pri- 
vate physicians. For such an average 
group as all the babies under one year 
of age the city death rate is 12.5 per 
cent; the association's is 2.5 per cent. 
It lost forty-four of its 1,781 babies. If 
it had been financially able to main- 
tain one hundred milk stations instead 



121 



122 



NEW BOSTON 




JEWISH BABIES AT WEST END CONFERENCE CONDI CTED BY DR. BERWICK 



of ten it would have saved possibly 
1,698 of the ^2,1^2^2 infants lost in the whole 
city. It is even more probable that the 
Board of Health would reduce the mor- 
tality by this amazing number, if it 
could maintain one hundred such stations. 
When niay we begin to think of it as in 
the i*ealm of possibility? Precedents 
for the establishment of municipal milk 
stations exist in Europe, Rochester, 
N. Y., and in Cambridge. 

The e(|uipment with which this work 
is carried on consists of twelve milk 
stations, fourteen nurses, twenty-two 
physicians, a chemist, a bacteriologist, 
a director and a medical director, a 
stenographer and nine clerks. There is 
a council of thirty-three persons headed 
by George H. Ellis as president and 



Arthur H. Brooks as treasurer whose 
big policies are obstructed by a small 
budget of $10,000. In ten months ten 
stations collected and paid out $12,500 
for milk and bottles sold at cost. These 
stations are open daily from eight to 
nine o'clock. At other times conferences 
on care and nourishment are held, 
which all mothers buying milk are ex- 
pected to attend. The plan of the con- 
ferences follows closely that admirably 
developed by Budin in Paris, and the 
numbers vary from five a w^eek at the 
North End Union to one in Charlestown 
and South Bay. The average attend- 
ance is about fourteen mothers and fif- 
teen babies. Here the twenty volun- 
teer physicians and nurses strip, weigh 
and examine every child, card-catalog 




ITALIAN MOTHERS' CONFERENCE 



PREVENTING INFANT MORTALITY 



> ^S 



the results, continue or change the food 
formula according to the degree of gain, 
and finally use the baby as an exhibit 
under a running commentary in Yiddish, 
English or Italian. Each mother is thus 
enlightened by the mistakes and suc- 
cesses of the others, and undergoes the 
discipline of class instruction and ques- 
tioning. Thorough and repeated demon- 
strations in skilfully simple terms are 
given of the way to bathe a baby and to 
bed it in an individual box or basket; 
how to make a milk refrigerator; how to 
modify milk, how to 
make barley water, 
how a baby should 
not be dressed, and 
how it should be. 

Sick babies are 
not treated here; 
the association at- 
tends rigorously to 
its unique task of 
protecting well 
babies. But much 
patchwork is inevit- 
able when the nurse 
makes her stated 
visits in the homes, 
to see that what 
she knits in the sta- 
tion is not unrav- 
elled in the tene- 
ment. The baby is 
her base, and with 
its interests in full 
view she may have 
to undertake the 
renovation of a 
drinking father or 
a broken wage- 
earner, and to distribute other members 
of the family into such available niches 
as a convalescent home, a dental clinic, 
the associated charities, or more decent 
rooms. This endless repair work is but a 
casual incident of the association's dif- 
ficult attempt to construct an educational 
method that shall bring order out of the 
chaotic ideas in the community at large 
concerning milk and its relation to i)ublic 
health. 

The "education," so called, of Boston 
during the milk troubles of April and 
May was not an education at all except 
in its reiteration of the old lesson that 
local governments ignore the economic 



welfare of the consumer when the quar- 
rels of private business interests are 
before their courts, and the state govern- 
ments use the consumer as their political 
capital in the game of "special interests." 
The milk battle, then, was a civil war 
in wiiich facts were suppressed and dis- 
colored in part by self-interest, but chiefly 
by a partisan ignorance of what clean milk 
is and our rights to have it economically 
handled as a public necessity. 

The new science of health admits that 
it has by no means completed its study 




A GROUP OF ITALIAN MOTHERS AT A Ml SICAL AT THE 
NORTH END UNION STATION 



of milk; and the association is heartily 
gratified that it is enabled by special 
gifts to establish a milk research. An 
expert will be engaged for three years 
under Dr. Milton J. Rosenau, professor 
of preventive medicine and hygiene 
at Harvard Medical School, and vice- 
president of the ^lilk and Baby Hygiene 
Association. Dr. Rosenau has oft'ered 
the use of his laboratory at Harvard 
Medical School for the study, among 
other subjects, of the effect of heating 
and freezing of milk upon its digestion, 
of the correct methods of handling milk 
from the farm to the consumer, and of 
tests which will show after pasteuriza- 



124 



NEW BOSTON 




A SAMPLE COXFLRENCE FOR SYRIAN FATHERS CONDUCTED BY DR. WM. P. LUCAS 



tion the extent of l^acterial life jjrevious 
to the process. While the bacteriological 
research is going on in the laboratory 
the association will be developing a milk 
exhibit at large which shall adequately 
demonstrate in graphic popular style 
the dangers of bad milk and the means 
already at the disposal of producer, 
dealer and consumer by which good 
milk may be secured. The dairy division 
of the United States Department of 
Agriculture has recently assisted Cin- 
cinnati, Pittsburg and other cities to 
hold such exhibits. Boston milk au- 
thorities and dealers have offered to 
take part in one in this city, and all 
concerned are invited to aid in its or- 
ganization. The association's educational 
plan includes also a course of instruc- 
tion on hygiene of pregnancy designed 
to reduce the large annual loss by still 
births, and a brief on the selection 
of milk inspectors who ought to be 
brought under the civil service. These 
items rank comparatively small and 



easy in comparison with the attempt to 
convince consumers by the thousand 
that the milk they buy from dip tanks 
is dangerously dirty; that they should 
demand it in sealed receptacles; that 
they are entitled to have it bottled at 
the farm direct from tuberculin tested 
cows; that they should encourage after- 
noon deliveries for the sake of a fresher 
supply, and to provide receiving boxes 
to protect it from sun and frost on their 
house steps. 

iVnd the cost? 

Such milk will undoubtedly cost nine 
cents and probably ten, not because it 
might not be sold for less but because 
we — the consumers — are not ready to 
let it be. We enact that the dealers shall 
do business with the antiquated ma- 
chinery of individualism, while the farmer 
caught in the same rusty cogs is not able 
to reduce his costs by co-operation. 
The result is a shockingly wasteful dupli- 
cation of effort from cow to consumer — 
eleven competing milk wagons may be 



ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION , 125 



seen daily on our quiet Cambridge 
street tacking foolishly from door to 
door. How much of the dealer's profits 
are lost and how considerable a part 
of costs are added this way, and in 
seasonal and local price-cutting that in 
turn demoralizes the producer's market? 
The producers ought to take the step 
taken long ago in farming regions abroad 
and produce milk co-operatively. A 
virile and ambitious State Board of 
Agriculture coukl immediately show 
them how to produce better milk at 
less cost through co-operative cow test 



associations. They are flourishing in 
]\Iichigan and Maine, and through their 
economies each cow now earns one 
dollar a month. 

These more orderly producers are 
on the way to becoming collective bar- 
gainers with whom the contractors may 
deal candidly and without concealment 
if they themselves are permitted to or- 
ganize as vendors of a public necessity 
under the control of a public board such 
as that which, for instance, maintains 
a standard quality in gas and lowers its 
price. 



THE ST. LOUIS CONFERENCE OF CHARITIES 
AND CORRECTION 



BY JEFFREY R. BRACKETT 



The Thirty - Eighth National Confer- 
ence of Charities and Correction is to 
meet in Boston in 1911. The Conference 
has met three times only in New Eng- 
land — in Boston in 1881; in New Haven, 
1895; in Portland, 1904. A brief account 
of the session just held in St. Louis 
should interest Bostonians. 

First to be noted is the growth of the 
Conference in numbers. When it met 
last in St. Louis in 1884, the attendance 
registered was 225. This year it was 
1,255. From Missouri in 1884 were 64, 
now there were 345; Illinois, 24, now 123; 
New York 24, now 93. In Massachu- 
setts in 1884 there were only seven mem- 
bers of the Conference; probably fewer 
attended the session. This year there 
were 51 persons from Massachusetts 
registered in attendance. 

To one w^lio has watched many con- 
ferences, this one seemed to be marked 
by the large number of young men and 
women of much promise. But most of 
all to be noted is the broadening and 
deepening of the program in the past 
few years. The Conference began with 
a small group of workers in the state 
boards of charities and correction. Work- 
ers in such boards are still active in it. 
Its founders were not unmindful of 
questions of prevention; but many are 
the questions today, cropping up through 



all, which are not so much on the care 
of dependents as on the prevention of 
dependence. There are meetings on the 
treatment of the insane, offenders, and 
other such special types; but there are 
also stirring meetings on such subjects as 
occupational standards, health and sani- 
tation, the schools and the community. 

For the first time the president was 
a woman. And when Miss Jane Addams 
of Hull House — "of ours," as a clever 
member of the Conference once spoke 
of her — rose to deliver her inaugural 
address, the whole great audience rose 
also. Her address showed how chari- 
table folk had been irresistibly led from 
cure to prevention, and how we now are 
being led to earnest consideration of 
vital welfare — to the idea of raising life 
to its highest value. She emphasized 
the helpfulness of mutual understanding 
and co-operation : between the forces 
of charity and social justice. 

An inspiring general meeting was that 
held on the morning after the opening, 
when brief reports of recent advances 
were given from nearly all the states. 
Thus, for example, showing the range 
of those advances, Maine reported help- 
ful co-operation of child-caring agencies; 
Oregon, industrial education in the public 
schools, and work on stone piles by wife 
deserters, with payment through the 



ne 



NEW BOSTON 



public authorities to the deserted families ; 
Florida, efforts for playgrounds and pre- 
vention of child labor; Texas, a traveling 
anti-tuberculosis exhibit. 

A carefully arranged ])rograui of sec- 
tion meetings was that of the committee 
on families and neighborhoods. This 
committee brought together workers with 
families and settlement leaders. Its 
presiding officer last year was Mr. 
Robert A. Woods; this year, Miss 
Mary E. Richmond. One of its meetings, 
on information about charities, em- 
phasized the mutual value of co-opera- 
tion between business men and leaders 
in enlightened charity. To this dis- 
cussion the chief 'business organization 
in Chicago sent /several delegates. Es- 
pecially novel was one meeting of the 
committee on schools and the community, 
with the committee on children, when 
moving pictures were shown, with brief 
talks on the official censorship of moving 
picture shows in Chicago, and the work 
of the National Board of Censorship, 
a voluntary body in New York City. 
Startling was the announcement that 
over 400,000 children each day attend 
moving picture shows in the United 
States; that such shows, therefore, are 
a great social problem and a great 
opportunity for public education. Such 
joint section meetings emphasize the 
helpful interchange of knowledge be- 
tween workers in different but adjacent 
parts of the great field of social service. 

At a meeting on health and sanitation 
there was presented the significance of 
the recent Illinois supreme court de- 
cision that the state can regulate the 
working hours of women; and the chair- 
man of the section, Dr. Charles P. Emer- 
son, drew a likeness between the present 
advances in preventive medicine and 
the advances hoped for in prevention 
of misery by the same process of fintling 
and kiUing the germs of ills. 

Besides the program meetings there 
were as usual many afternoon informal 



reunions, and a number of luncheon meet- 
ings of workers in particular fields, with 
good practical sjjeeches. An afternoon re- 
ception, and a Mississippi boat ride were 
kindly planned by the local committee. *~ 

While there were some voices for the 
next conference to meet in Seattle, and 
scattering pleas for other places, the 
Committee on Time and Place unani- 
mously agreed to come to Boston, and 
the choice was heartily ratified by the 
Conference. On many sides were heard 
such remarks as "We are going to the 
Boston Conference — and to visit "par- 
ents," or "grandparents," "uncles" or 
"cousins" in or near Boston. So closely 
is New England tied to other parts of 
the Union! 

The new committees for 1911 are — 
Drunkenness, with Mr. Robert A. Woods 
of Boston, chairman; Health and Rec- 
reation; Housing; Securing and Training 
of Social Workers, with Prof. Graham 
Taylor of Chicago, chairman, and Miss 
Zilpha D. Smith of Boston, vice-chair- 
man; Standards of Living and Labor; 
The Church and Social Service, Rev. 
Washington Gladden, chairman. 

The president of the Boston Confer- 
ence will be Homer Folks of New York, 
for many years the general secretary 
of the New York State Charities Aid 
Association, and commissioner of chari- 
ties of New York City under Mayor 
Low. The first vice-president is David F. 
Tilley of the Massachusetts State Board 
of Charity and head of the St. Vincent 
de Paul Society in Boston. One of the 
assistant secretaries is W. H. Pear, 
general secretary of the Boston Provi- 
dent Association. The corresponding 
secretary for Massachusetts is Joseph 
Lee. On the Executive Committee, as 
former presidents, ex oflScio, are Robert 
Treat Paine and Jeffre^^ R. Brackett; as 
members elect. Miss Frances G. Curtis 
of the State Board of Charity, and 
Bernard J. Rothwell, president of the 
Boston Chamber of Commerce. 



Boston's New Safe and Sane Fourth Program 



The dawn of Independence Day will 
usher in the anniversary of an event, 
the celebration of which will differ greatly 
from those celebrations of years past. 
Boston is the first city of any size in the 
United States to have a Safe and Sane 
Fourth of July in the sense that sub- 
stitutes are initiated to take the place 
of the destructive features against which 
public opinion is so aroused that it has 
enacted legislation abolishing or limiting 
them. The program for the Fourth of 
Julj^ is here submitted: 

At 2 o'clock in the morning citizens 
of Boston who will look West Roxbury 
way will see the reflection of a large bon- 
fire which the City Guard of Boston is 
preparing to light at that hour in the 
morning. The members of this civic 
body, under the leadership of Mr. Frank 
O. Carpenter of the English High 
School, have been for weeks accumulating 
inflammable material. 

At 6 o'clock in the morning the local 
districts will have parades of antiques 
and horribles. Some of these parades 
promise to be unique. 

At 8 o'clock the City of Boston's 
annual Fourth of July athletic games 
will be held as usual on the Common. 
The following handicap events, open to 
registered athletes, will be held: 100- 
yard dash, limit 6 yards; running broad 
jumps, limit 2 feet; 440-yard run, limit 
'id yards; running high jumps, limit 6 
inches; 880-yard run, limit 40 yards; 
one-mile run, limit 80 yards; three-mile 
run, limit 200 yards. There will be an 
open team race, four men on a team, 
each man to run 440 yards. Gold 
watches will be given for first and second 
places and gold- medals for third places 
and the team races. No entrance fees 
will be charged. 

At 9 o'clock in the morning the Fourth 
of July oration will be delivered in 
Faneuil Hall by Mr. James H. Wolf of 
1 Beacon street, Boston. After that 
the Declaration of Independence will 
be read from the Old State House by 
Mr. Wilfred Kelley of Roxbury. 



The parade is scheduled for 10.30. 
The idea of the committee in charge of 
this parade was that every part should 
work out some one inclusive subject, 
and Independence and its Fruits was 
chosen. The first division is the Mili- 
tary Division — One Means of Securing 
Independence. Companies of coast ar- 
tillery, marines and sailors from the 
Charlestown Navy Yard, companies of 
militia, a contingent from the Navy 
Brigade, Spanish War Veterans, Sons of 
Veterans, and the High School Cadets 
will all be represented. The second 
division is the Historic Division — Steps 
toward Independence. Fifteen floats 
will illustrate the advancement toward 
the freedom of the colonies and states. 
Such subjects as the Mayflower, John 
Eliot, Boston Tea Party, Protest of 
Boys to General Gage, Betsy Ross, 
Lexington Belfry, Concord Bridge, 
Bunker Hill, Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, Constitution, Emancipation Proc- 
lamation, and the Maine will be shown. 
Ten nations will also be shown by floats. 

President Taft's program includes a 
period of time to be spent in Somerville 
after which he comes to Boston to re- 
view the parade. He then goes to Cam- 
bridge and after luncheon with President 
Lowell, speaks at the Stadium before 
the teachers of the National Education 
Association. 

At 4 o'clock water sports are to be 
held on the Charles and elsewhere. The 
most interesting features will be admin- 
istered by the New England Regatta 
Association, and the Yacht Racing As- 
sociation. 

One of the most interesting innova- 
tions this year is the choral music and 
band concert on the Common at 5 p. m. 
A chorus invited from choral societies 
and church choirs and directed by 
JVIr. Osborne IVIcConathy will rentier a 
program which will include "Lovely 
Appear," from Gounod's "Redemption"; 
"To Thee, O Country," by Eichberg, and 
"Hail Bright Abode," from the second 
act of Wagner's "Tannhauser." A band 



127 



128 



NEW BOSTON 



of thirty-four pieces under the leader- 
ship of Mr. Theron D. Perkins will i)lay 
Suppe's Light Cavalry Es]iana Waltz, by 
Waldtcufel, Victor Herbert's American 
Fantasy, and the Flag of Victory by Von 
Blon. At 8 p. m. l)and concerts will be 
held at ^Marine Park, Wood Island Park, 
Franklin Field and Jamaica Pond. Fire- 
works will be held at these places, and, 
it is hoped, at the Charles River Basin. 
The disjilay at the Basin will be one of 
the most magnificent ever seen in Boston 
and will l)e a joint display held by this 
city and Cambridge. This year as well 
as in years past, the wards of the city 
have an allotment of $75.00 each. The 
Executive Committee of a Safe and Sane 
Fourth of July Committee has voted to 
ask the Civic Improvement Association 



in some of the districts to supervise the 
expending of these allotments. Foremost 
among the organizations which proposed 
to have extensive local celebrations are 
the West End Improvement Association, 
the Orient Heights' Improvement Asso- 
ciation, Jamaica Plain Citizens' Associa- 
tion, the Roslindale Association, Harvard 
Improvement Association, the Lower 
Mills Citizens' Association, the Francis 
Parkman Parents' Association and the 
Sherwin-Hyde Parents' Association in 
co-operation with the Ruggles Street 
Neighborhood House. The North Ameri- 
can Civic League for immigrants has 
under way plans for lectures to some of 
the recently arrived immigrants which 
inform them of the meaning of Inde- 
pendence Day. 



Thrift in the Schools of the Commonwealth 



BY HARRY W. KIMBALL 



In this good old Commonwealth where 
thrift has been the watchword for gener- 
ations, where the first American savings 
bank was established; and where the 
accumulations of the provident run into 
the hundreds of millions, nearly one- 
third of the entire population are bene- 
ficiaries of charitable institutions. 

The recent report of the Massachusetts 
State Board of Charities shows that last 
year 013,701 persons accepted public 
or quasi-public aid; 171,672 received 
assistance that was absolutely gratuitous; 
while 74''2,0'29 received help for which 
in whole or in part some service was 
rendered. Paupers are now costing Mas- 
sachusetts $5,800,188 as against only 
$2,338,578, twenty years ago. It was 
probably because the Old Age Pension 
Commission recognized this fact that it 
placed first in its final recommendations 
the following: 

"1. In order to promote independent 
individual saving and strengthen vol- 
untary thrift agencies, we recommend 
that 'thrift' be included in the public 
schools of this Commonwealth. What- 
ever solution of the problem of old age 



pensions may ultimately be settled upon, 
it is certainly most desirable to take every 
practical measure to encourage habits 
of saving throughout the population. 
The teaching of 'thrift' in the schools 
should deal with the individual and 
social ethics of saving in general, and 
should also illustrate the principles of 
insurance and investment in particular. 
The arithmetic of saving could be 
taught effectively by using mathemat- 
ical examples in the school texts, which 
should bring out clearly the methods of 
saving and investing money. This recom- 
mendation is not a theoretical one, for 
the subject of 'thrift' has been taught 
effectively in the public schools of 
European countries, notably in France 
and Germany." 

The General Court of Massachusetts 
adopts the suggestion of the Old Age 
Pension Commission as they have just 
passed a law which introduces the in- 
struction of thrift into the public school 
curriculum. Section 1 of Chapter 42 of 
the Revised Laws of Massachusetts 
(as amended by Chapter 524 of 1910) 
"civil government, ethics, thrift and such 



THE lOin SUMMER GAMES 



12d 



other subjects as the School Committee 
may consider expedient may l)e taught 
in the public schools." The tremendous 
importance of this whole subject is so 
clear to the Massachusetts Savings In- 
surance League that in its recently 
adopted constitution the object of the 
league is stated in the following words: 

"The object of the league is to in- 
culcate the virtues of thrift and fore- 
sight and the si)irit of self-help among 
the working people of Massachusetts, 
especially by bringing to their attention 
the advantages of securing life insurance 
and old age annuities at actual cost." 

The splendid work which has been 
done in so many of the lower grades of 
our public schools through various forms 
of penny savings needs to be continued 
by instruction in the high schools on the 
subject of life insurance, and if these 
two methods of work can be thoroughly 
developed in our public schools they will 
go far in helping to inculcate, in the most 
practical way, the virtue of thrift. 

In accordance with the suggestion of 
the Old Age Pension Commission and in 
conformity to the law which has been 
recently passed, the Massachusetts Sav- 
ings Insurance League office at 161 
Devonshire street, Boston, is ready to 
furnish speakers to the high schools of 
the state upon the subject of "Thrift 
as an Element in Character," using the 
value and advantages of life insurance as 
a most effective illustration. Recently 
such addresses have been given before 
the pupils in the high schools at Lexing- 
ton and Whitman, and the principal and 



also the sui)erintendent of schools in 
the town of Whitman have written to 
the secretary of the league the following 
letters of endorsement: 

I want to express to you my appreciation 
of the address given at the Whitman High School 
last week. It was pointed, within the reach of the 
pupils, and it appealed to me as most practical. 
Whatever hesitancy or doubt we previously 
had concerning the advisability of such a talk, 
given to the high school pupils, was quickly dis- 
missed from our minds while listening to the 
address. I am sure that if the superintendents 
throughout the state can be made to realize the 
beneficial results to come from this movement of 
savings bank insurance, they will open wide the 
doors to you, so that you may have full oppor- 
tunity of putting the matter before the different 
high schools in the Commonwealth. 



The whole series was a success. This talk in 
particular has my approbation and appreciation. 
It seems to me that Mr. Kimball has something 
of value to present to high school boys and girls. 
At any rate they were very attentive, and later 
expressed to me an appreciation of the talk as 
given in my school. 

A public school committee of the Wo- 
mens' Branch of this organization is 
energetically taking up the question 
of thrift teaching and is preparing to 
send a letter with suggestions to all 
women's clubs throughout the state. 
It is understood that a committee of 
Boston school principals have a similar 
undertaking in hand, and elsewhere the 
problem is under serious consideration. 



THE 1910 SUMMER GAMES 



In view of the- success of the Boston- 
1915 Boys' games as carried out last 
summer under the direction of Dr. 
Thomas F. Harrington and Mr. Frank S. 
Mason it has been decided to continue 
them during the summer of 1910. This 
time the games will be under the direc- 
tion of a committee consisting of Col. 
George B. Billing, of the Boston Athletic 
Association, Mr. George V. Brown, also 



of the Boston Athletic Association, Mr. 
EUery H. Clark, the famous athlete, Mr. 
James B. Connolly, athlete and journalist, 
Mr. Mitchell Freiman of the West End 
House, Dr. A. E. Gai-land, Supervisor 
of Physical Training for the Young 
Men's Christian Association, Dr. Thomas 
F. Harrington, Director of School Hy- 
giene, Mr. William Rand, who made a 
mark in college athletics and Mr. N. J. 



130 



NEW BOSTON 



Young, Assistant Director of School 
Hygiene. 

With the co-operation of the School 
Committee, the Park Department and 
the Bath Department, it is expected 
that meets will be held in the following 
places: Wood Island Park, Charles- 
bank, Charlestown, M Street, Columbus 
Avenue, Marcella Street, Roslindale, 
North Brighton, Franklin Field, Dewey 
Beach, North End Park, and L Street 
Baths. The final meet will, of course, 
be held in Wood Island Park. 

The events wall be about the same as 
last year, including running, jumping, 
swimming, etc. Each meet will be under 
the direction of a trained instructor and 
officials appointed by the committee and 
drawn largely from the members of the 
Boston Athletic Association. Prizes will 
be awarded this year as last. In order 
to avoid accumulation of prizes by two 
or three star athletes restrictions on 
entrance will be made somewhat closer 
this year than last. 

To carry on the games this season it 
is estimated that it will cost the com- 
mittee somewhere in the neighborhood 
of $1,000. Several of the newspapers 
have indicated their willingness to offer 
prizes, and the others will undoubtedly 
join with these. A finance committee 
has been appointed, consisting of Messrs. 
Mason, Billings and Connolly. These 
gentlemen are now considering the rais- 
ing of the necessary funds and will 
greatly appreciate all contributions. 



It is hard to estimate the value of 
these games. They utilize the play- 
grounds for the summer when they would 
otherwise lie idle. They provide a form 
of amusement and diversion for boys 
which keeps them out of other and pos- 
sibly deleterious activities. They create 
or maintain a considerable degree of 
physical development. By their wide- 
open and untechnical nature they suc- 
ceed in stimulating an interest in athletics 
in boys who would not ordinarily be 
interested, thus bringing within the in- 
fluence of physical develo})ment many 
young fellows who would not think of 
entering the more formal and formidable 
events. In addition to this there is 
created a spirit of fair play and honesty 
which makes its lasting impression upon 
the boys' characters. 

In order to stimulate interest in these 
meets in the boys of each neighborhood 
it has been suggested that there be a 
number of local district committees, 
made up of three adults and twelve or 
fifteen boys. It is hoped that the Boston 
Home and School Association will assist 
in this matter. These committees will 
provide for registration in their districts, 
arouse interest in coming meets and as- 
sist the central committee in other ways. 

On the whole this work, which is 
under the general authorization of the 
Boston-1915 Youth Conference, promises 
to be one of the most successful and 
permanently useful things w^hich Boston- 
1915 is doing. 




NEW BOSTt»^ 




A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IM 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY BOSTON 1915 INC- 6 BEACON ST • 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS- U-S-A 



VOL. 1. 

TEN CENTS A COPY 



AUGUST, 1910 

NO. 4 
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. 




ETDIQ 



ir^^Ji^ l 



C 




The Yankee Knack 

THE story of American industrial development has no more 
fascinating or impressive chapter than that devoted to the 
discoveries and improvements resulting from the ex- 
traoi-dinary inventive genius of the New England workman. 

He is never content with things as they are. He is forever 
experimenting — and successfully. He searches until he finds 
the soul of the. machine, and from this intimate acquaint- 
ance he begins to eliminate and improve. He accomplishes 
the paradox of perfecting a perfect article. If there is 
a practicable way to make one part do the work of two, 
if some added device will simplify a process or improve a 
product, he will not rest till he has worked out the problem. 

This passion for invention has been from the first a vigorous 
characteristic of the New England mind. The early settlers 
were artisans rather than tillers of the soil ; and when by a 
bitter struggle with an undeveloped country they had supplied 
their immediate wants, they naturally turned again to manu- 
facturing ; and this mechanical bent, stimulated to alertness 
by a vigorous climate, resulted in course- of time in an al- 
most incredible mechanical ingenuity — the "Yankee Knack. " 

This genius for simplification of processes, this wonderful 
knack of devising machinery which will do the work of the 
human hand, has multiplied the output of our factories : and 
this in turn has increased wages and decreased the hours of 
labor, and so brought a great uplift into the lives of our 
workmen ; given them the power to provide better homes for 
their families, better education for their children, and greater 
leisure in which to work out a broader destiny for themselves. 

As in the past, so in the present and the future. The " Yan- 
kee Knack," which long since turned New England into a vast 
workshop, is still at its age-long task — simplifying, improv- 
ing; lowering cost of production, ever raising quality of 
product — and all to the end that the average American fam- 
ily shall enjoy today A\hat were luxuries but j-esterday, and 
gratify in their turn the yet undiscovered desires of tomorrow. 

Pilgrim Publicity Association, Boston 

[Copyright, 1910] 






a 



^^^^^-^1 



In answering advertisements please mention NICVV BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



AUGUST, 1910 



No. 4 



CONTENTS 



THIS MONTH'S NEW BOSTON 131 

SOME THINGS IN STORE 13? 

SALT LOSING ITS SAVOR 132 

A WISE CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT 133 

MOVING PICTURES, BAD AND GOOD 133 

THE NEW FOURTH 134 

SOCIAL CITY ADMINISTRATIONS 135 

ON MINDING ONE'S OWN BUSINESS 136 

BOSTON'S FIRST SANE FOURTH 137 

WHAT BOSTON NEWSPAPERS SAID 139 

THE SANER FOURTH IN BOSTON 141 

GIRLS AND THE RECREATION PROBLEM Belle Lindner Israels 149 

BEETHOVEN'S PROMETHEUS 155 

BOSTON-1915 BOYS' GAMES 160 

NEW YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS George W. Wingate 161 

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEAN STREETS Guy C. Emerson 167 

MODERN METHODS OF STREET CLEANING George A. Soper 171 

WASHINGTON'S CELEBRATION 174 

COMMUNITY SOCIALS IN BROOKLINE J. Leonard Mason 177 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

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JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

{Copyright, 1910, by Boi/on— 1915, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 



"A book of intense interest to every intelligent citizen." — Scientific American. 

THE HEALTH OF THE CITY 

By Hollis Godfrey 

"The topics discussed are air, water, milk, food, ice, noise, waste, housing and plumbing. The author has de- 
voted much time to scientific subjects and his views and advice are worth pondering over. Mr. Godfrey does not 
uselessly theorize upon the dangers, but proposes means for civic betterment." — Philadelphia Record. 

"This little book should serve both as an awakening to the indifferent and the ignorant, and a guide to the in- 
terested, for Mr. Godfrey is one of those very uncommon scientists who writes with compelling clearness and charm 
without any sacrifice of accuracy." — Collier's Weekly. 

1 2mo. $ 1 .25 net. Postpaid $ 1 .36 



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By John Graham Brooks 

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York Times. 

"A most admirable lesson in civic righteousness." — The Dial. 

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With portraits. 1 2mo. $ 1 .50 net. Postpaid $ 1 .6 1 



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BOSTON The Old and the New 

You know that Bcston is an interesting city — but — do you know Boston? Ten 
to one you do not, for the highways of Boston are crooked as well as fascinating, 
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A GUIDE BOOK OF BOSTON 

By EDWIN M. BACON 



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Wherein are full descriptions of and direc- 
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further identification of routes and places. 

Books for 1915 and Now 

Civics ^^y William 11. Allen, Secretary of 
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U I , formerly Secretary of the New York 
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One of the foremost and most practical contri- 
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Education 
by Plays 
and Games 



NEW BOSTON 



By G. E. Johnson, Superin- 
tendent of Playgrounds, Rec- 
reation Parks, and Vacation 
Schools, Pittsburg, Pa. 

Trade Edition, net $1.10 

/ consider Education by Plays and Games 
the best book for teachers and playground in- 
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variety of educational games for children of 
various ages. LOUIS W. RAPEER, Council 
Member Playground\Association of America. 
Send orders to 

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Vol. I 



AUGUST, 1910 



No. 4 




BOSTON'S FUTURE SKY LINE 



al Shanmut'Bank 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



This Month's New Boston 

There are half a dozen articles in this 
number of NEW BOSTON that are 
directly suggestive to the organizations 
and individuals working through Boston- 
1915. Take the summer recreation ques- 
tion. The New York investigations con- 
ducted by the Committee on the Va- 
cation Resources of Working Girls and 
described by Mrs. Israels, the chairman, 
have exposed a pretty bad state of affairs 
in the dance halls, excursion boats and 
amusement resorts of the metropolis. 
Boston's problems are not New York's 
problems in this respect, but there is 
plenty of room for a thorougli-going 
study in this city of what opportunity the 
working girl has for wholesome summer 
recreation. "Where to go and what to 
do are not questions reserved exclusively 
for the householder and the well-to-do 
vacationist." Brookline is partially meet- 
ing this problem through a series of "com- 



munity socials" described by J. Leonard 
Mason in this number. 

The pantomime play Prometheus, given 
under the direction of Elizabeth Peabody 
House on the Charlesbank playground, 
was the first attempt at a production of 
that kind in Boston. It goes to show 
still another way of interesting the com- 
munity in wholesome outdoor play and 
recreation. Would not open-air plays 
and festivals make attractive features 
for next year's celebration of the Fourth? 
Graham Taylor makes a similar sug- 
gestion in the Daily Neirs of Chicago. 
This year that city celebrated with a 
great military tournament of extreme 
interest to those who were able to secure 
seats in the arena, but not of particular 
value to others. Professor Taylor thinks 
that "for a still saner Fourth next year 
the Sane Fourth Association may well 
unite with the Chicago Playground As- 
sociation and other patriotic allies in 



132 



NEW BOSTON 



arranging a play tournament in every 
park and playground throughout the 
length and breadth of the whole city. 
Democratic, cosmopolitan, free and truly 
American will be the assemblies which 
will rally at the call of such a real In- 
dependence Day to enjoy the peaceful 
tournament of all the city." 

The Boston-1915 Boys' Games Com- 
mittee announces its summer program 
which was inaugurated on July 23, at 
the Charlesbank, and Caledonian Play- 
grounds. The complete registration at 
the 1909 games was 2,735, and this year 
the committee expects to pass that mark. 
We have no record of other cities where 
boys' meets are held throughout the 
summer as they are in Boston. The 
Public Schools Athletic League of New 
York City keeps a hold on the chil- 
dren only during the school year. The 
activities of that highly organized league 
are described by General George W. 
Wingate in this number. The league 
has the support of a mnnber of New 
York's wealthiest citizens and has reached 
a state of perfection impossible without 
ample funds. 

When the National Education Associ- 
ation came to Boston last month Mayor 
Fitzgerald appealed to all citizens for 
help in keeping the city's streets free from 
flying papers and the customary rul)bish 
that collects through individual care- 
lessness. The resulting apj^earance of 
general tidiness shows the power in the 
hands of every individual as a civic 
housecleaner. Guy C. Emerson's article 
makes it clear just how every person can 
help the work of a street-cleaning de[)art- 
ment. Co-operation rather than criti- 
cism is needed. 

An article on garbage disposal by 
George A. Soper, chairman of the Met- 
ropolitan Sewerage Commission of New 
York City will be of special interest to 
Boston readers since the recent dis- 
cussion in relation to refuse disposal. 
An order was put in Council in the early 
spring for $300,000 to construct an in- 
cinerator and, although the loan bill has 
been held up until fall, there is every 
reason to believe that Boston will soon 
adopt a better system of refuse dis])osal. 
Dr. Soper's article is in no sense tech- 
nical, and for that reason has a general 
appeal . 



Some Th'ngs in Store 

We hope that the readers of NEW 
BOSTON will feel free to criticise and 
suggest; that is what we want — criti- 
cisms and suggestions. Probably we 
shall neither agree with all the criticisms 
nor adopt all the suggestions, but the 
magazine is bound to grow^ and improve 
if you will tell us just where we are weak, 
and where — perhaps — we are stronger. 
There will be some pages reserved for 
you in the x\ugust number, and we want 
to fill them up with readers' opinions on 
the articles, stvle and general effective- 
ness of NEW BOSTON as an organ of 
Boston-1915. 

Three or four cities, notably, Denver, 
St. Paul and Milwaukee, recently built 
immense civic auditoriums — great cov- 
ered "stadiums" on a small scale — for 
the accommodation of visiting conven- 
tions and conferences, as well as for the 
use of local gatherings. Boston needs 
such an auditorium. It could have 
handled the National Education Associ- 
ation meetings more effectively, for in- 
stance, if a building like any in the three 
cities mentioned had been at its dis- 
posal. In coming numbers of NEW 
BOSTON we hope to tell about the 
auditoriums of these other cities, how 
the enterprises were financed and the 
use to which the buildings are being 
put. 

The 1915 Boys' Games will be pic- 
tured in the September number and the 
details of a "Civic Advance Campaign," 
to be conducted in the fall by Boston- 
1915, will be described. L. M. Bristol, 
who has made a thorough-going study 
of the relation between congestion and 
mortality rates will outline the results 
of that investigation. Mr. Bristol finds 
that "congestion, within certain limits, 
is not necessarily destructive, but it 
tends to degeneration, physical and 
moral, and registers its effects most 
noticeably on the second and third 
generation." Another article of special 
interest in the September number will 
be by Alexander Johnson, secretary of 
the National Conference of Charities 
and Correction, which meets in Boston 
next spring. Mr. Johnson will tell of 
some of the notable advances in social 
work since the conference last held its 
sessions in this city. 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



133 



Salt Losing its Savor 

According to the Metropolitan Sewer- 
age Commission which has made its 
final report to Mayor Gaynor, the health 
of Manhattan and surrounding terri- 
tory is menaced by the continued use 
of New York harbor as a sewerage outlet 
for that city and other communities 
along the Jersey shore. The commis- 
sion's studies cover a territory embracing 
about twenty miles around City Hall, 
and include some 100 municipalities 
with an aggregate population of 5.000,000. 
A warning is sounded to the effect that 
it is possible to so saturate the volume 
of the incoming tide with filth that it 
will be unable to jjurify itself, and be- 
come a source of corruption. Some 
startling facts are given in support of 
this view, as well as some remarkable 
statements regarding the willingness, 
and even persistent efforts of certain 
communities, to make conditions worse. 
The report of the commission enforces 
the importance of watching carefully 
the impurities in Boston harbor, and 
adopting wise prevention instead of 
costly cure. 

A Wise Co-operative Movement 

Mayor Fitzgerald has adopted the 
plan of calling a monthly conference of 
the heads of all departments in the city 
of Boston, to secure concerted action 
among the various divisions and regi- 
ments of the great army of the city's 
workers. This is well adapted to pre- 
vent overlapping or overlooking in the 
varied activities of municipal administra- 
tion. In his personal inspection of pro- 
vision for the people's comfort during 
the heated term, the mayor found il- 
lustration of unperformed service re- 
sulting from uncertainties as to what 
department was in charge of specific 
tasks. In the machinery which cares 
for the commoji material needs of a 
city's inhabitants there is frequent op- 
portunity for minor failures unless all 
departments clearly understand the defi- 
nition of their duties and the exact extent 
of their responsibilities, and are inspired 
by a common ambition for good team 
work. If all the partici{)ants in these 
monthly conferences work together in 
this spirit, a marked increase of ])ublic 
efficiency will surely result. 



Moving Pictures — Bad and Good 

It would be unfortunate if the merited 
condemnation of the Reno moving pic- 
tures should result in a general attack 
on a form of amusement which holds 
such immense possibilities for good. 
The past two years have seen steady 
improvement in the character of motion 
pictures. Following the establishment 
of the National Board of Censorship in 
New York City, an unofficial organiza- 
tion which, nevertheless, is given the 
final word both by trust and independent 
organizations on the acceptability of 
new films, the manufacturers themselves 
have gradually adopted higher standards. 
The latest summary of the situation is 
given by George J. Anderson in The 
Congregationalist for July 9 and 16. 
Mr. Anderson says that "while nearly 
three-quarters of the motion jjicture 
films now being made are specially posed 
and hence chiefly for amusement pur- 
poses, they are beginning to find other 
uses. It need not be supposed that 
Edison and others who have helped to 
develop this remarkable invention have 
dedicated it to the theater. The em- 
ployment of moving pictures in pedagogy 
and propaganda is increasing, as well as 
among settlement workers. Pictures of 
New York school childern on parade have 
been exhibited in Rome during a cam- 
paign for improvements in the school 
system. They have been prominent 
features in the great English missionary 
expositions, and their use for this pur- 
pose is not unknown in this country. 
Last winter some officers of the Young 
People's Missionary INIovement went 
down to Cuba and brought back several 
reels of pictures on mission work in the 
island. A French firm conducts a pic- 
ture show illustrating current events. 
Moving pictin-e machines have been in- 
stalled in or{)hans' homes, state institu- 
tions and the like, and various branches 
of the federal government, especially the 
navy utilize them. They are beginning to 
make themselves felt in advertising, and 
manufacturers of cash registers, harvest- 
ing machines, telephones and so on have 
seen their possibilities. 

"Perha])s the most striking illustra- 
tion of educational moving ])ictures is 
the catalog of the George Kleine Com- 
pany of Chicago. Some facts from this 



134 



NEW BOSTON 



remarkable volume of 336 pages are 
worth reading. Here are the spheres 
represented: Agriculture, aeronautics, 
animal life, bacteriology, biography, bi- 
ology, botany, entomology, ethnology, 
fisheries, geography, history, industrial, 
kindergarten studies, mining and metal- 
lurgy, microscopy, military, naval, nat- 
ural history, ornithology, pathology, 
pisciculture, railroad, religion, scenic, 
topical, travel and zoology." 

Perhaps the highest example of the 
development of the motion picture the- 
ater is seen right here in Boston in the 
Bijou Theater, one of Keith's houses 
managed by Mrs. Josephine Clement. 
It was unfortunate that Mrs. Clement 
was obliged to raise the admission price 
to twenty cents, thus excluding many 
poorer people, the kind that make up 
the bulk of the moving picture audiences ; 
but the fact that "the world in motion" 
pays at twenty cents goes to show the 
grip that the business has on the public. 
A form of entertainment that attracts 
two-thirds of the entire theatre-going 
population to performances that are 
steadily improving in character, should 
not be generally condemned because of 
the unquestioned evils of the fight 
pictures. 

The New Fourth 

In the September issue of NEW 
BOSTON we hope to publish the figures 
collected by the American Medical As- 
sociation, showing the downward curve 
of Fourth of July mortality rates fol- 
lowing the safe and sane celebration of 
1910. 

This association which has for seven 
years been making a thorough study 
of Fourth of July fatalities, is waiting 
for "the smoke to blow away" in order 
to see clearly just how many dead and 
wounded were left on the field. In the 
meantime we can judge pretty closely 
about the success of the new Fourth 
as a saver of doctors' and undertakers' 
bills, from the news-paper stories 
published on the morning of the fifth. 

Among the cities, aside from Boston, 
to adopt the new idea either in whole 
or part were New York, Chicago, Cleve- 
land, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Louisville, 
Baltimore, Des Moines, Indianapolis, 



St. Paul, Buffalo, Omaha, Kansas City, 
Milwaukee, San Francisco, St. Louis, 
Denver and Detroit. 

The following comparative tables tell 
the best story of the day : 

1910 1909 

Dead Injured Dead Injured 

Chicago 2 19 1 47 

New York 1 34 5 168 

Philadelphia 8 337 3 347 

Pittsburg 2 7 2 113 

Milwaukee 27 69 

St. Louis 1 1 134 

Detroit 20 2 84 

Minneapolis 12 7 

Providence 10 15 

Washington 

Baltimore 6 4 

Buffalo 5 22 

Bridgeport 137 55 

Evidently not a city or a town that 
tried the safe and sane experiment (and 
judging from the clippings received in 
this office, a good part of the country 
turned reformer) were sorry to say 
good-bye to the old-fashioned celebration 
recommended some 135 years ago by 
John Adams, who believed that "the 
day should be 'solemnized' with the 
booming of cannon, ringing of bells, and 
the discharge of musketry from one end 
of the country to the other." 

The best part of the innovation, aside 
from the saving of lives and property, is 
the fact that the small boy seemed to 
take to the idea as vigorously as did his 
elders. There was a good deal of worry 
about what would become of the boy 
minus giant firecrackers and blank cart- 
ridges, but he was apparently as anxious 
as anybody to have a safe and sane 
time — another proof that if you can 
keep a boy busy at anything that inter- 
ests him, you can keep him out of mis- 
chief. 

Boston's celebration was a complete 
success. A first experiment of that kind 
is apt to be marred by inexperience, but 
from the time that the signal fires w^ere 
lighted early Monday morning until the 
"good-night" fireworks along the Charles 
River Basin, every part of the program 
was carried out as planned. The pres- 
ence of President Taft on the reviewing 
stand and the fact that Boston was 
entertaining thousands of school teachers 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



135 



from all parts of the country, added to 
the day's pleasure. 

The effective preliminary work accom- 
plished by Dr. David D. Scannell and his 
committee, the splendid co-operation of 
the city government, the willing assistance 
of the press, the contributions and volun- 
teer work of hundreds throughout the 



city were invaluable helps to the Safe 
and Sane Fourth Committee of Boston- 
1915, which bore the brunt of the work. 
Some of the results of that work are 
shown in this number of NEW BOSTON. 
1910 has surely marked the new form 
of Independence Day, not only for 
Boston but for the entire country. 



SOCIAL CITY ADMINISTRATIONS 



City officials are fast recognizing the 
important part that social questions 
play in municipal administration. Two 
conferences of the past month give 
particular emphasis to that fact. In 
Providence, under the auspices of the 
Bureau of Social Research, was held the 
New England Conference on Street 
Cleaning, the first of its kind in the 
United States. A decade back, or even 
five years ago, a successful meeting of 
municipal administrators to discuss such 
subjects as the Social Significance of 
Clean Streets, School Children and Clean 
Streets, the Bacteriology of Street Dust 
and the Co-operation of Street Cleaning 
Departments and Private Agencies would 
not have been thought possible; and it 
is doubtful if thirty-four out of a total 
of forty-five mayors of second and 
third class cities would have taken time 
to meet and discuss the essential prob- 
lems of municipal health, as they did 
at Schenectady, N. Y. The highest 
medical and sanitary authorities in the 
state attended the New York meeting, 
and we believe that the resolutions 
passed, portions of which are printed 
below, are of extreme importance in 
indicating the active interest that city 
governments are taking in social ques- 
tions : 

Resolved, that the mayors and other official 
delegates of the forty-two cities here represented 
urge upon all municipal authorities throughout 
the state the following administrative measures 
and pledge themselves to endeavor to secure their 
adoption in their respective localities: 

1. To secure for municipal health authorities 
appropriation from the municipal resources more 
nearly comparable to the importance of the work 
imposed upon them by statute, by the (levelo])nient 
of sanitary science, and by the demands of public 
opinion. 



2. To secure for the position of health officer 
such compensation and such tenure of office and 
such complete control of the departmental work, 
independent of his political views and affiliations 
and independent of political changes in the ad- 
ministration of the municipality, as will attract 
the most competent physician, specially qualified 
by experience and study of sanitary science, and 
retain him in office during good behavior and 
efficient service. 

3. To secure prompt and complete compliance 
with all the provisions of the tuberculosis law of 
1908, including a complete register of cases of 
tuberculosis through the co-operation of the medical 
profession; the thorough disinfection, cleansing 
or renovation of premises left vacant by the death 
or removal of tuberculosis patients; and the ef- 
ficient and sanitary oversight, either by the at- 
tending physician or the health officer, of all house- 
holds in which tuberculosis exists. 

4. To establish in each municipality, preferably 
under the direct control of the health department, 
at least one free tuberculosis dispensary, with 
one or more visiting nurses and with supplies and 
facilities for the care, treatment and cure of tuber- 
culous patients. 

5. To aid in securing hospital provision for 
persons having tuberculosis, preferably in ac- 
cordance with the provisions of the laws of 1909 
authorizing the establishment of county hospitals, 
or in the event that a county hospital cannot be 
secured, under direct municipal control, to the end 
that the State Charities Aid Association's hope, 
"No uncared-for tuberculosis in 1915," may be- 
come a fact. 

6. To provide such playgrounds and recreation 
facilities as will permit every child and adult to 
secure out-of-door recreation and exercise suited 
to his needs. 

7. To protect the supplies of food offered for 
public sale from contamination, and to prevent 
the sale of adulterated, decayed or otherwise unfit 
articles of food. 

8. To secure a healthful and adequate water 
supply. 



ON MINDING ONE^S OWN BUSINESS 



It has generally been regarded as good 
advice and good practice to mind one's 
own business. There is a type of per- 
son who is built on the gimlet plan, 
whose delight it is to penetrate into 
those aflfairs with which he is not con- 
cerned. This sort of burglary is de- 
cidedly to be opposed. No man has an 
ethical search warrant by reason of 
which he is justified in forcing himself 
into the affairs of other people. If 
there is one plague more vile than an- 
other in our social life, it is the existence 
of the inquisitive busy-body, who prowls 
around with interrogation-jimmies, pry- 
ing o])en secrets, and purloining every 
private fact that happens to be for 
a moment exposed to view and un- 
guarded. 

At the same time there is another 
side to the question. It is necessary to 
mind one's own business, but it is also 
necessary to realize just what one's 
own business really is. At the present 
time most of us have a very meager con- 
ception of it. We regard it as being those 
affairs that directly concern our own 
interests. They have to do solely, we 
think, with our business, our home, our 
social club. Frequently we consider that 
they are bounded by the circumference 
of these three. We think of moral 
obligations only in these limited terms. 

As a matter of fact, a man's own 
business is sometimes vastly larger than 
most of us have thus far imagined. His 
business is inextricably woven in with 
every other man's business. The busi- 
ness concern in which he is a partner 
is city large. Boston is a business com- 
pany, and every citizen a member of the 
firm. With its civic enterprises he is 
directly and vitally concerned. This 
is the truth that most we need to learn 
at this present time, if our city is to 
attain its largest and its liest. 

The curse of civic life is the shifting of 
responsibility for civic ill. If anything 
that ought not to be exists, there is 
invariably a "getting from under." Any- 
one who has ever sought to remedy some 
social evil, or abolish that which is a 
civic menace, knows well how he is 



passed on from office to office in a wild 
goose chase after the person directly 
responsible, or who will admit the re- 
sponsibility. How often some nuisance 
remains in a neighborhood simply be- 
cause it is "nobody's business" to re- 
move it. 

The cure for such conditions lies in 
the widening of our conception of per- 
sonal interests and obligations. As a 
matter of interest, everything concerns 
everyone. Everything is everyone's busi- 
ness. Nothing happens but affects each 
of us for good or ill. The result may not 
be seen or perceptibly felt, but it is there 
nevertheless. Nothing can occur to any- 
one, anywhere, that does not vitally 
concern and affect us all in some way. 
And to be truly wise is to be conscious 
of this wider interest of ours, and to 
take such steps as will most effectually 
guard us from harm and loss. 

Every man has a share in every other 
man's business. "I can do what I like 
with my business," cries the manu- 
facturer who prides himself upon being 
a self-made man. He is wrong. It 
is not his private business, or ever can 
be. It is an act of co-operation with 
the public. If he has gained large 
profits, he has gained them from his 
fellows. He is dependent upon them. 
They have made him what he is, and 
given him what he has. The whole 
existence of his business depends upon 
the continued favor of those about him. 
The business man who does not know this, 
or who does not make it the basis of 
his action and methods, w^ll sooner or 
later find that he has reckoned without 
his "host." 

To mind one's own business is to 
take an active interest in all the affairs 
of civic and national life. In all enter- 
prises we have a share. In all rotten- 
ness we have a responsibility. In every 
law we have an interest. There are no 
lines of limitation. There is no strictly 
private lousiness. Society is complex, 
and all men are related by ties no less real 
than the ties of blood. By all means 
let us mind our own business, but let it 
be in the wiser and wider way. 



Boston's First Safe and Sane Fourth 



"What's the good of speeches ? 

What's the good of cheers ? 
What's the good of being 

Just a boy of 'leven years ? 
I'm not unpatriotic, 

I don't like to scoff, 
But what's the good of fingers 

If you can't blow 'em off ? " 

That was the New York Herald's idea 
of the small boy's lament on the evening 
of July 3. A poetic sequel was not pub- 
lished on the morning of the fifth, but 
in its place, in every city where there 
was a safe and sane celebration there 
appeared cold figures that, in striking 
contrast to previous years, told of lives 
and property saved, of fingers and hands 
still intact and of empty hospital beds. 

On the Fourth of July a year ago 117 
accidents were recorded in the hospitals 
of Boston as a result of injuries from 
revolvers, firecrackers and other ex- 
plosives. This year the total injuries 
numbered thirty-two. Here are com- 
parative figures showing accident and 
fire records for 1909 and 1910: 

1909 1910 

City Hospital 29 3 

Relief Hospital 29 11 

Grace Hospital 15 

East Boston Relief Hospital 23 14 

Massachusetts General 21 4 



FIRES 



117 32 

1909 1910 
Bell alarms from 6 P. M., July 3 to 

midnight July 4 44 39 

If the small boy of Boston was dis- 
appointed in the day he certainly did 
not show it. He had ample opportunity 
to get up at the old-fashioned hour of 
1 o'clock and start the day as a Fourth 
of July should be started; for with the 
passing of Sunday, signal fires were 
lighted at conspicuous points all over 
the city. Early in the morning, the 
Declaration of Independence was read 
by Wilfred Frederick Kelley from the 
balcony of the Old State House. Later 
at Faneuil Hall, the oration of the day 
was delivered by James H. Wolf before 
an audience of 500. At 9 o'clock, under 
the management of George V. Brown 
of the B. A. A., secretary of the Boys' 



Games Committee of Boston-1915, ath- 
letic games were held on the Common. 
The prizes were gold watches for the 
first and second men, and gold medals 
for the third. 

At noon time President Taft reviewed 
the military and historical procession 
which was started on time, at 10:30. 
Although the president was a little be- 
hind schedule in arriving in Boston, 
owing to delay in Somerville, the 200,000 
people along the line of march patiently 
held their square foot of ground until 
the last float had passed. On the Com- 
mon, back of the President's stand, 
several hundred children, provided with 
flags of the nations of the world, sang 
patriotic songs before Mr. Taft's arrival; 
and as he drew up to the reviewing stand 
about twelve o'clock, the children broke 
out into a grand chorus of America. 
Then came the parade. 

Boston has never seen a similar pro- 
cession. The series of beautifully decor- 
ated floats depicting various scenes in 
the history of the country, together with 
the representations of the nations of 
the world, and numerous military or- 
ganizations offered a novel and instructive 
change from the usual holiday procession. 
The parade was headed by Brigadier- 
General William H. Oakes, chief marshal 
of the day and was made up as follows: 

FIRST DIVISION 

Mounted Police. 

Sergt. George Guard commanding and nine mounted 

officers. 
Chief marshal. Brig. Gen. William H. Oakes, 
MVM (retired). 
Chief of staff, Capt. J. Stearns Cushing. 
Adjutant, Frank M. Webb. 
Band from USS \'ermont. 
Battalion of sailors from \'ermont and company of 
marines. 
Lieutenant commander, Gilbert Chase. 
Ninth regt., MVM, Col. John J. Sullivan com- 
manding. 
First corps cadets band. 
Co. H, 5th regt., MVM, Capt. George T. Lattimer, 

commanding. 
Co. A. Naval brigade, Lieut. Frederick Robinson, 

commantling 
George C. Whitten camp 1, Spanish War veterans, 
James L. Molley, commanding. 



138 



NEW BOSTON 



Roger Wolcott camp 23, Spanish War veterans, 

H. F. Carter, commanding. 

First corps cadets band and English High and 

Latin school field music. 

Boston school cadets. 

Battalion Dudley school cadets, Capt. Edward 

O'Dowd, commanding. 

SECOND DIVISION 

Col. George A. Hosley, marshal. 

Patriotic and historic features. 

Series of Floats and Figurants. 

Mayflower; Jamaica Plain Citizens Association and 

Denison House. 

John Eliot; South End Industrial School. 

Bunker Hill Monument; Abraham Lincoln Post 11, 

G. A. R., Charlestown. 

Colonial League 10. 

Declaration of Independence; Hale House 

Association. 

Frigate Constitution; Float prepared by James 

Bertram. 
Companies representing the Wars of 1812 and 1847, 
United States and Mexican soldiers. 
Melrose Fife and Drum Corps. 
Emancipation Proclamation. 
Guard of Honor, Sixth Regt., MVM, Capt. 
William B. Gould in command. 
Company representing confederate troops; from 
Boston Y. M. C. U. 
Company representing Indians; Forest Hills 
Company. 
Battleship Maine 1898; Lawrence Parents' Asso- 
ciation 
Freeing of Cuba and the Philippines; Jefferson 

House Parents' Association. 

Floats representing Safe and Sane Fourth of July 

and the old-fashioned celebration. 

Recreation; South Bay Association. 

Anti-Cigarette League. 

THIRD DIVISION 

Capt. John J. Dwyer, Marshal. 

Bates Band. 

Battalion from the Greek Athletic Societies from 

Boston, Lynn and Salem. 
Great Britain; prepared by Charles French of the 
Harvard Improvement Association. 
France; Elizabeth Peabody House. 
Germany; The Lowell Parents' Association. 
Austria; Bishop Cheverus-Paul Jones Parents' 
Association. 
Italy; Frances E. Willard Settlement. 
Russia; Civic Service House. 
Spain; South End House. 
China; Ruggles Street Neighborhood House. 
Japan; Dudley Dillaway Parents' Association. 
America; Chapman Parents' Association. 
Peace of all Nations; float prepared by C. P. McCaf- 
frey and Frederick Swan. 

When the procession had passed, the 
presidential automobile was drawn up 
in front of the children's stand and Mr. 
Taft told the youngsters that he was 
"delighted to be here on the Fourth 
of July and to congratulate you on be- 
ginning this movement in favor of a 
safe and sane Fourth. I always prefer 
a live boy or girl to a dead or wounded 
one, and I sincerely hope that this move- 



ment now begun and evidenced by a 
statute of your state, begins for Massa- 
chusetts a great many good things; 
that this may continue throughout the 
Union; and that the lives of these little 
ones so dear to us may not be sacrificed 
in the foolish desire to make a noise. 
Good-bye. God bless you!" 

On the afternoon came the free "ice- 
cream graft," as one boy put it. Those 
in charge of this part of the program 
have learned that a good live boy will 
go after a dish of ice cream on a hot day, 
with a little more vigor than a hungry 
trout will rise to an attractive fly. The 
ice cream did not last long on the Com- 
mon, and perhaps some boys managed 
to get more than their share. Another 
year, if the distribution is continued, 
there will be more than one policeman 
to handle several hundred children, 
each anxious to secure a little more ice 
cream than is coming to him. 

One of the most enjoyable features 
of the afternoon celebration was the 
choral singing on the Common of 300 
adidts under the direction of Osbourne 
McConathy of Chelsea. In spite of the 
fact that there had been but little op- 
portunity for rehearsal, the singing was 
unusually good. 

There were 150,000 persons along the 
Charles River Basin to witness the 
display of fireworks in the evening. 
This was the first great public festival 
to be held along the new water park, 
and a more effective setting for a cele- 
bration of that nature could not be 
imagined. "The Listener" in the Tran- 
script for July 6 said that "the christening 
of the Charles River Embankment, as 
an assembling place for the million of 
greater Boston, surely marks 'an epoch.' 
It is the more epochal in that the old 
Common at the same time yielded up 
to the new water-park its immemorial 
prescriptive right to the Fourth of July 
fireworks. 'The old order changeth' — 
the Common is no longer the one in- 
evitable choice of Boston for the scene 
of our greatest civic events." 

On the evening of the Fourth the 
fence on the waterside was lined three 
or four deep with enthusiastic spectators. 
Both Harvard and West Boston bridges 
were filled, and the Cambridge side of the 
river was also crowded. Fireworks dis- 
plays were also held at Franklin Field, 



WHAT THE BOSTON PAPERS SAID 



139 



Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Rainsford 
Island, Long Island, Marine Park, and 
Wood Island Park. 

Boston's first safe and sane Fourth was 
a success from start to finish and perhaps 



the best part of the day was the manner in 
which the small boy took to the innovation. 
There isn't any question but that the cele- 
bration July 4, 1910, has inaugurated safe 
and sane Independence Days for Boston. 



WHAT THE BOSTON PAPERS SAID 



"Safer and Saner" Wins Out 

Local and national statistics, hurriedly gathered* 
but approximately correct and not to be altered 
materially by later evidence, show conclusively 
that this year's celebration of the Fourth never 
has been surpassed for a maximum of pleasure and 
reasonable display of patriotism with a min- 
imum of loss of property, life and injury or maim- 
ing of persons. Adults and children, public officials 
and effervescent youths seemed to have come to 
the conclusion, defined by President Taft, that 
"wounds and deaths are not essential to patriotic 
inspiration or appropriate memorials of the birth- 
day of the nation," and that "live children are 
better than dead ones." In precise ratio to the 
acceptance of the "sane and safe" policy of cele- 
bration accepted by law-niakers and by public- 
spirited officials and citizens, the returns from the 
cities show a falling off in accidents, deaths and 
fires. 

Boston's record is better than those of some 
communities, but it is typical, nevertheless. Here 
as elsewhere there are smaller losses to be paid by 
insurance companies, fewer cases for courts to 
pass upon, less strain and wear and tear upon 
physicians and nurses in hospitals, fewer wage- 
earning youth kept from work, fewer interments 
in the cemeteries, fewer saddened households 
mourning crippled and deformed inmates or dead 
members of the family circle. And, on the other 
hand, never were there so many persons, who, 
"the morning after," could say that they had 
profited by healthy athletic rivalry, by pleasure- 
able excursions inland and to the sea, by watching 
of pageantry and parades that had an educational 
aim and that accomplished it, and by enjoyment 
of a pyrotechnic display that, in Boston at least, 
was superior to anything the city ever has seen, 
owing to the peculiarly fascinating environment 
which the Charles River Basin affords. — The Herald. 

Safe and Sane Success 

Yesterday's celebration in this city will long 
be remembered. Everything pertaining to it was 
a success. The restrictions with regard to explo- 



sives was a success. The regulation of fireworks 
was a success. The sensible police supervision 
of patriotic observances, in the shape of noise, 
was a success. 

But the most pronounced success of all was the 
parade, which exemplified more than anything 
else the idea of a safe and sane Fourth. It was 
interesting, instructive, amusing, and thoroughly 
enjoyable. 

The Fourth of July, 1910, marks an important 
turn in the road of national rejoicing. The pro- 
moters of the safe and sane idea have reason to 
be pleased with their achievement. — The Globe. 

The New Fourth 

The anniversary of our natal day has been cele- 
brated considerably more than a hundred times, 
but this year's observance has been the most 
significant and gratifying of the entire series. The 
reaction from the excesses and incongruities of the 
past has been widespread and genuine. There 
had been much discussion in nearly all the large 
cities of measures to secure "a safe and sane 
Fourth," but public sentiment is always more 
satisfactorily tested by deeds than by words, and 
the result has been awaited with mingled doubt 
and hope. But the latter has been fully justified. 
It was the most rational Independence Day, all 
things considered, in the history of the Republic. 
In our own city and the cluster that surrounds it, 
the remark was general that such a quiet Fourth 
was never remembered. 

But if it was a day of comparative quiet, it was 
not lacking in interest. People seemed at no loss 
to get from it a large measure of enjoyment. It 
was almost, if not quite, a record breaker for the 
transportation lines. People came and went by 
tens of thousands. The presence of the National 
Education Association, and the participation of 
the president of the United States in the exercises, 
made it a day long to be remembered by the people 
of Boston and vicinity, though even without these 
special magnets there were ample attractions pro- 
vided, exercises that had not only beauty but a 
real meaning. 



140 



NEW BOSTON 



We have a significant measure of the advance 
made by the largely reduced amount of hospital 
work called for by the untoward events of the day. 
Less than a third as many received treatment 
and almost all who did paid the penalty of disre- 
garding the spirit and in some instances the letter 
of the regulations and restrictions made for the 
day's observance 

We may felicitate ourselves upon having made 
a great gain in the manner of observing ths special 
day. More remains to be accomplishedi, but a 
year ago it would hardly have been dreamed that 
such progress could be made. Having risen to 
a higher plane in this respect, it is hardly to be 
supposed that we shall ever return to the former 
senseless saturnalia. There was more patriotism 
taught yesterday than by all the experiences of 
the last hundred years. A gratifying feature was 
the larger participation and more general interest 
shown by the grown-up population. They recog- 
nized their responsibility to their children as they 
have rarely done before. Best of all, there is less 
property destroyed, there are fewer lives lost and 
homes darkened, while the serious injuries are but 
a comparatively small percentage of what they 
were in former years, though still enough to show 
room for further improvement.^ — The Transcript. 

The Justification of an Idea 

Boston demonstrated to herself the advantages 
of the "safe and sane" idea. The only ones to lose 
were the doctors and the undertakers, and they 
are as glad as anybody. The nurses, the ambu- 
lance drivers and the firemen had less work — and 
when they are idle things are usually well with 
the rest of us. 

In some other American cities which recently 
have had sane Fourths, the power of the fireworks 
manufacturers and dealers has been sufficient 
to secure a repeal of the laws, and they returned 
this year to the riot and disaster of old. It is 
probable that such interests will endeavor, during 
the year to come, to secure the repeal of the wise 
regulations just passed in Massachusetts. It 
would be a sad day if they were successful, but we 
do not believe they will be. Boston is likely to 
have sane Independence Days for many years to 
come. 

The agitation for a "safe and sane" Fourth in 
Boston was started many months ago, by the 
Boston-1915 organization. This society was most 
active in securing passage of legislation and bore 
the brunt of planning and carrying out yesterdays 
celebration. To this organization is due the credit 
for the lessened deaths and accidents of yesterday. 
If Boston-1915 did nothing else for Boston during 



the next five years, it would in this have fulfilled 
its promise of usefulness to the community and 
won the right to high regard from all Boston's 
citizens. — The Traveler. 

Boston's Sane " Fourth" 

While yesterday did not pass without a few ac- 
cidents, in Boston, they were not serious ones, as 
compared with the usual roster, in the past, after 
each celebration of Independence day. Yesterday 
was an experiment, and like most experiments 
It showed some faults due to inexperience; but 
on the whole the festival was fairly quiet and rather 
safe and reasonably sane. The really serious 
casualties that were formerly expected as a matter 
of course at the hospitals, with the advent of 
Independence Day, were not to be found yesterday; 
and the few bad wounds reported were due to 
violations of the law — as, for example, a case of a 
boy with a bullet wound in his leg, in spite of the 
fact that revolvers were forbidden. It may de- 
velop that a large proportion of the other accidents 
reported were the result of attempts to evade the 
laws against dangerous explosives. 

What President Taft said, with his usual good 
humor and good sense yesterday, in his allusions 
to Boston's safe and sane fourth pretty well 
expressed the popular verdict. We are all pleased 
to be able to think of the real meaning of the day 
without any necessity for shutting ears and eyes, 
in order to think at all. It is something indeed 
to celebrate Independence Day without the danger 
of becoming deaf. — The Advertiser. 

Safe and Sane 

The experiment of a safe manner of Independence 
day celebration here in Boston may be regarded 
without qualification as an immediate and notable 
popular success. The same may be said of other 
communities in which similar methods were 
adopted. 

It has been demonstrated that mere noise and 
license are not conducive of public entertainment; 
that the multiplication of accidents and the peril 
of destructive fires are not unavoidable; that the 
people, young and old, can have a good time in 
a rational way, and that hubbub is not absolutely 
necessary to the expression of enthusiasm. 

There was noise enough yesterday, properly 
distributed. There were crowds everywhere, and 
the crowds surely seemed to be enjoying them- 
selves. There were spectacular features, from the 
morning parades to the evening fireworks. It 
was all there, happily arranged, sensibly carried 
out. It was in the best sense a glorious Fourth. 

— The Post. 



THE FOURTH IN BOSTON 



PRESIDENT TAFT TO THE CHILDREN 

" I am delighted to be here on the Fourth of July and to congratulate 
you on beginning this movement in favor of a safe and sane Fourth. I 
always prefer a live boy or girl to a dead or v^ounded one, and I sincerely 
hope that this movement now^ begun and evidenced by a statute of your 
state, begins for Massachusetts a great many good things; that this may 
continue throughout the Union; and that the lives of these little ones so 
dear to us may not be sacrificed in the foolish desire to make a noise." 




FROM THE REVIEWING STAND 




READING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 




GENERAL OAKES AND STAFF 




WHEN THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED 




THE BROAD JUMP 














rHK FIMSII OF TIIK MILE RUN 









.&.HSNO.vr 

73 fiAPCvU^S^' 



AFTER THE MEET ON THE COMMON 




GATHERING FOR THE CHORAL SINGING 




THE LEXINGTON MINUTE MEN 




THE ANTI CIGARETTE LEAGUE 




COMPANY OF HIGH SCHOOL CADETS 




THE CONCORD BRIDGE 




THE BATTLESHIP MAINE 




BUNKER HILL 




Girls and the Recreation Problem 



BELLE LINDNER ISRAELS 

Chairman New York Committee on Amusements and Vacation Resources of Working Girls 



Where to go and what to do are prob- 
lems not reserved exclusively for the 
householder and well-to-do vacationist. 
Thousands of young girls, thrown out 
of employment during the summer 
months, or idling through unen joyed 
vacations; thousands of others, forming 
the army that nightly pervades the 
streets and amusement resorts, have 
this problem thrust upon them for solu- 
tion with less power of choice and an 
absolute need for expression. Any 
thought, leading out of the chaos of 
where these people go and what they 
find to do, is necessarily stopped at the 
door of constructive possibility. We 
have been wont to think of the associa- 
tion of w^orking girls with young men 
as a task too difficult to be imdertaken 
under legitimate auspices. W^e have 
preferred that it should be left to the 
casual undertaking of such commercial- 
ized projects as the cheap theater, the 
picture-show, and, most attractive of 
all, the dance hall, and the amusement 
park at the cheap resort. Casual pro- 
vision has been made for this class of 
our population in placing park benches 
at their disposal, and so far as the girls 



are concerned, giving them liberal op- 
portunity for forming more or less casual 
and undesirable acquaintanceships. The 
playground and the park have been 
thought of in terms of the younger 
children. The outdoor gymnasium, 
which is sometimes a part of their 
facilities, appeals to the boy. It is only 
the occasional girl to whom physical 
prowess and the cultivation of her 
strength makes sufficiently strong appeal 
to cover the disadvantage of such ex- 
penditure of energy. 

Companionship of the other sex is 
the natural desire of young people at 
the adolescent stage of their careers. 
What they do in the workshop, and in 
the factory, and in the store has not 
been planned out with reference to the 
upbuilding of character; on the contrary, 
in most instances its monotony leads 
to a nervous reaction, that brings with 
it a weakening of moral resistance when 
the question of amusement is brought 
into play. With all of these forces, 
natural desire, need for recreation pro- 
duced by the overstrain of monotony 
and physical fatigue, the overplus of 
idle time, and the utter lack of home 



150 



NEW BOSTON 



restraint, it is worth while to examine 
where girls go and what they do when 
they are confronted with certain periods, 
or even hours, of idle time. 

Being attracted to the resources offered 
such girls, and to what they made out 
of them, a committee was formed in 
New York, two years ago, for the j)ur- 
pose of making an examination of the 
question and suggesting its constructive 
possibilities. The Committee on Amuse- 
ments and Vacation Resources of Work- 
ing Girls has grown from a membership 
of five mildly and curiously interested 
persons, to an organization, with co- 
operating branches, that is finding res- 
ponses to the chord it has struck in nearly 
every large and small city in the country. 

The investigator employed by the 
committee to inquire first into the actual 
amusements of the vacation season 
started out with certain peculiar quali- 
fications for her work. Her special 
instructions were to follow out the kind 
of places sought by the girls, to estimate 
as far as possible what it cost a girl to 
spend her idle time in amusement places, 
to see what percentage of such time was 
so spent, to form an estimate of the effect 
on the girl's character, of the type of 



amusement offered, and also to indicate 
lines of progress. To accomplish this 
purpose a report blank was used for each 
place visited, and covered points that 
were suggested in the inquiry. For 
each place the following questions were 
answered : 

Name 

Location 

Whether Licensed 

Character of Amusements 

Hotel Attachment 

Location of Bar 

Sanitation 

Lighting 

Dancing — (a) Free 

(b) Charge 

Other places Where Liquor is Sold 

Sale of Refreshments 

Average Attendance, Total 

Week Days 

Saturdays 

Sundays 

Girls Alone 

Average Age 

Moral Tone of Resort 

GIRLS 

Vacation, With or Without Pay 

How Long 

W'here Spent 

Cost 

Sum Spent per W^eek for Amusements 

Favorite Recreation 

It was apparent at the start that the 




AMl>]iMli\l I'ARKS ARE[ ROUGHLY DIVIDED INTO "BAD," "GOOD" AND "BKST' 



GIRLS AND THE RECREATION PROBLEM 



151 



public resources afforded by New York 
city were so inadequate as not to require 
consideration from a tabulative stand- 
point, beyond the work of the recreation 
centers in the public schools. The parks 
and playgrounds and recreation piers 
afforded nothing. It was in private 
enterprise that the solution had to be 
found. 

Broadly speaking, the summer amuse- 
ment problem centered around the ex- 
cursion boats, the cheap resorts and the 
amusement parks generally to be found 
at the end of long trolley rides. The 
winter problem centered around the 
dance hall. Specifically the summer 
problem has the dance hall coupled with 
it all the way through, because no man 
who manages an amusement enterprise 
of any kind, however small his accom- 
modations, would commit the folly of 
having no dance platform. So that on 
every hand it has been recognized by 
those who are commercially interested 
in finding amusement for girls, that the 
dance hall is an indispensable part of 
a successful enterprise. It is the young 
man who spends money in these places, 
and he comes if the girls are there. 
Energies are bent to find the thing which 
will attract the girl, and thus she is en- 
couraged to come there, at little or no 
financial outlay, to indulge in her favorite 
pastime of dancing, and to extend her 
acquaintanceship with those of the other 
sex. The presence of the girl is a stock 
in trade of the dance hall proprietor. 
If she is there the place succeeds. 

The excursion boats, of course, make 
no such direct appeal for trade. Their 
chief interest is to make the trip pay as 
much as possible, not only in the regular 
price of the excursion, but to add to 
this the sale of staterooms. Certain 
boats, leaving New York for day excur- 
sions, have every stateroom sold long 
before they leave the docks. These 
rooms are frequently in the hands of 
speculators, who sell them for short 
periods throughout the day, at the rate 
of twenty-five cents or fifty cents an 
hour. This brings before the eyes of 
young girls, travelling on these boats, 
the constant spectacle of the entering 
and leaving these staterooms by young 
couples throughout the entire day. A 
vigorous campaign against this problem 
has brought out promise of improvement 



on at least one line of these boats, but 
the control of boats, beyond the safety 
of the passengers, is subject to no legal 
authority, and therefore the exercise 
of moral reform is altogether a matter 
of arousing public opinion. 

The amusement parks, cheap resorts 
and picnic places are roughly divided 
into "bad," "good," and "best." There 
are only a very few in the class of "best." 
The established parks at Coney Island, 
such as Luna Park, Dreamland, and 
Steeplechase Park, have excellent stand- 
ards of decency, as had Palisade Park, 
a resort on the Hudson River. In these 
places the dance platforms were con- 
ducted in accordance with the strictest 
rules, and the proprietors rely upon the 
superior attractiveness of their places 
to give assurance that their rules will be 
carried out. Outside of the very limited 
class of places like these, there is a sliding 
scale of resorts coming up to varying 
standards, from those where the latest 
vulgarities of the burlesque stage are 
not only tolerated but encouraged on 
the dance floor, up to the place which 
would like to be decent but is afraid it 
would lose its patronage if it were too 
strict with its customers. 

The dance hall of the winter months 
is characterized in New York by its 
division into the places where dancing 
is taught, and which are called "dancing 
academies" and "dance halls." There 
are in Manhattan and the Bronx over 
five hundred dance halls and dancing 
academies. This does not take in the 
very large borough of Brooklyn, nor 
the smaller boroughs of Qvieens or 
Richmond. It has been estimated that 
one hundred thousand girls and boys 
attend the dancing academies of Man- 
hattan, alone, in the course of a week. 
It is admitted by the dancing masters 
that ninety per cent of the clientele is 
under twenty-one years of age, and forty- 
five per cent under sixteen. In the 
forty-five per cent are included some 
Saturday afternoon classes for children. 
The dancing academ5% as it is developed 
in New York, is probably peculiar only 
to the very largest cities. It is entirely 
a commercial proposition. Its teaching, 
where that is genuine, is in the hands of 
a very small group of trained men and 
women, whose business from a legitimate 
standpoint has greatlj^ decreased during 



152 



NEW BOSTON 




THE LURE OF THE LIGHTS MAKES THE DANCE HALL WHAT IT IS" 



the past ten years, and who have been 
forced to make a special feature of the 
receptions to which the general public 
is admitted, four times a week. Its 
example has been imitated by all the 
other classes of managers of dancing 
enterprises, who see in the teaching an 
additional inducement to young people 
to come to them. The manager of the 
average East Side dance hall is only in 
very rare instances a dancing-master. 
For teaching purposes he associates 
with himself certain young men of the 
neighborhood, whose only evident means 
of livelihood is the occasional benefit 
ball which is given for them by the 
manager. Beyond attracting girls to 
the dancing academy and providing that 
they shall enjoy themselves while there, 
these fellows have certain special knowl- 
edge of the moral worth of each girl 
that extends to the finest shades of de- 
termination. 

Many of these dancing academies 
have also coupled with themselves the 
sale of intoxicants; sometimes with a 
liquor license, sometimes without. Where 
this is common practice the attraction 
of the dance hall provides another danger- 
ous, insidious element. 



On the other hand the dance hall as 
such flourishes in all forms in every city 
in the country. Sometimes it is the 
back room of a saloon, and other times 
it is the big casino; frequently it is the 
gathering place for people of certain 
nationalities; at other times it is exploited 
by gangs of men who band themselves 
together for the purpose of making money 
under some attractive title, such as 
"The Barnstormers," "The Three Snow- 
Balls" or, taking the name of some man, 
call themselves an association. These 
organizations have no existence beyond 
the advertising and running of what is 
known as a "racket." Admission to these 
dances is cheap, ranging all the ^vay 
from twenty -five cents to two dollars. 
The girls attend dance places in couples. 
They depend for the evening's amuse- 
ment on their attractiveness to the casual 
observer. When the music for a dance 
begins the girls go out on the floor and 
dance together. The young rhen line 
up around the room and make a selection 
of partners from the grace displayed in 
this preliminary dance. The girls who 
are not invited to sit at the tables and 
have something to drink go into the 
dressing-rooms to repair damages and 



GIRLS AND THE RECREATION PROBLEM 



153 



compare experiences. Standards of be- 
havior for the majority of these places 
are hmited to non-interference on the 
part of the police. There are a number 
of dance halls where no admission is 
charged, and where there is a nightly 
dance. The price of remaining here is 
drinking, and inducing others to drink. 
These halls, and in fact all dance places 
where acquaintanceships are so easily 
made, are favorite places for finding 
young girls who can be led on into the 
devious ways of the under-world. Both 
the national and state immigration com- 
missions have stated that the dance hall 
is the recruiting place for the traffic 
in women, and it is also responsible for 
the thousands of girls who are leading 
lives that would not bear scrutiny, while 
not directly entering the ranks of prosti- 
tutes. Many girls are living loosely 
with two or three or half a dozen fellows 
they know, for the good time that it 
affords them, in the way of going out 
frequently, occasional presents, and the 
appearance of popularity. It is a terrible 
price to pay and is never recompensed 
throughout their womanhood. 

It is the responsibility of the com- 
munity, it is the delinquency of the com- 
munity, and not of its girl members. 
The community has offended against 
them and not they against it. Driven 
from its natural avenues, the stream 
of youth must seek out by-ways. There 
are snares provided for them all along 
these by-ways, by people who know how 
to turn the healthful desire for amuse- 
ment into terms of financial gain, and 
who have no scruples in the method of 
so doing. Urged on by the desire to go 
forward on the social ladder and to es- 
tablish herself in a home, and with rest 
from daily toil, the girl seeks out the 
only avenues that have been open to her 
for finding her mate. Her home condi- 
tions are familiar. If she is living at 
home she lacks- privacy, there is no ac- 
commodation made for her, and she is 
driven to seek her amusement outside. 
The streets and the parks are bare of 
opportunity, and private enterprises have 
few scruples. 

It is peculiar that social dancing should 
have been neglected so long as a means 
of appeal to young people. It offers 
physical exercise, emotional experience, 
healthful conditions and the opportunity 



for the sane exercise of the desire to 
meet and know the other sex. 

Constructive possibilities for the com- 
munity loom large. First the New York 
committee made an examination of 
existing laws and ordinances to see if 
any of these could be applied to the dance 
hall as a place of public assembly. Only 
certain requirements of the building code 
could be made to fit. These could not be 
enforced with enough certainty to make 
them advisable as an only means. But 
a bill was sent to the Legislature, passed 
through one year and defeated as to its 
constitutionality, because it q^pplied only 
to "dancing academies." The judges 
held that if it was a moral regulation it 
should apply to all places where dancing 
was carried on. A new bill has passed 
the Legislature, received the signature 
of the mayor and now awaits the signature 
of the governor, which covers all places 
where dancing goes on. It provides that 
the place must conform to the construc- 
tive regulations of the building, fire and 
health departments. The wisdom of 
this was evidenced by two dangerous 
fires in dancing academies during the 
past year. The bill also provides that 




"DANCE HALLS FLOURISH EVERY- 
WHERE " 



154 



NEW BOSTON 



no liquor shall he sold in the room in 
which instruction in dancing is given or 
in any room connected with it on the 
same floor. Girls under sixteen may not 
attend unaccompanied by adults, and if 
there is habitual disorderly conduct on 
the premises the license will be revoked. 
The terms of its enforcement will show 
the wisdom or unwisdom of the act. It 
is a constructive jiossibility, hotels with 
over a hundred rooms being the only 
places excepted. 

In order to make some effort directed 
against the idle vacation period, as an 
investigation had disclosed the inad- 
equacy of the existing resources for 
vacations under reasonable and good 
auspices, the Vacation Bureau has been 
established. This has the co-operation 
of the vacation agencies. This offers 
all girls boarding places properly in- 
vestigated in the country, with rates of 
board ranging from three and one-half 
to five dollars a week. It will also corre- 
late endeavor in this direction and per- 
haps be able to influence employers to- 
ward the extension of paid vacations. It 
subjects the girl who uses its facilities 
to no restrictions and assumes no re- 
sponsibility other than that of bringing 
together the right hostess and the right 
guest. 

Among the constructive possibilities 
of the dance problem public provision 
might be made to meet this need. Prop- 
erly supervised dance platforms in the 
public parks'that can be made into dance 
halls for the winter months are the first 



step in this direction. The field houses 
in Chicago are already reaching out in 
this direction and permitting general 
dancing several nights of the week, 
supervised and controlled by committees 
of the young people themselves, under the 
direction of the recreation expert in 
charge. The utilization of existing 
facilities of recreation piers and play- 
grounds is a simple step without expense. 
The music is generally provided anyway. 
In the public schools the evening recrea- 
tion centers have already established 
several dancing classes, more especially 
among foreigners. The boys and girls 
have been allowed to come together 
frequently on these evenings, and the 
results in dress and deportment and en- 
joyment have been remarkable. 

As an intermediary step between the 
existing dance hall and that controlled 
by the municipality, the model dance 
hall comes into play. The committee 
has been operating one model hall for 
the past year, and a new hall, constructed 
by an offshoot of the New York com- 
mittee as a public enterprise, is just 
being opened at Rockaway Beach. A 
number of model classes and dance 
evenings were also started by churches 
and settlements. The essential point 
of these model dance halls is that they 
shall conceal their identity. It must be 
no more than a public enterprise in 
direct and most keen competition with 
its neighbors. It must rely upon the 
excellence of the facilities that it affords 
in order to attract the young people. 




"THE SUMMER PROBLEM HAS THE DANCE HALL COUPLED WITH IT" 



BEETHOVEN'S PROMETHEUS 



155 



Beyond this the dance hall has the 
possibility of being a great social medium. 
The existing hall is in the nature of an 
academy. The new model dance hall, as 
planned, will have a corps of introducers, 
who will present the young men and 
women to one another, who will be ad- 
mitted to the floor only after a registration 
of a correct name and address. Novel fea- 
tures of the cheap dance hall will be made 
into special attractions of the new place, 
and excellent standards as to floor, 
lighting and music should combine toward 
commercial success. 

Wherever any attempt is made to 
reach this problem of the dance hall and 
the older girl problem, it is only made, 
first by an establishment of facts, an 



examination of resources, followed up 
by a careful study of the constructive 
possibilities of the existing facilities, 
and extensions that can be brought 
about. A saner attitude toward the 
problem of the meeting of the sexes is 
essential. If the right opportunities 
are not provided the wrong ones will 
certainly be sought. These are always 
provided. It is the lure of the lights and 
the music and the atmosphere of having 
a good time that makes the dance hall 
what it is. The New York committee 
has set out to provide these things to an 
even greater extent, in a manner that 
will protect and not harm the girls who 
will receive them. 



BEETHOVEN'S PROMETHEUS 



Pageants on the stage, out-of-door per- 
formances on large estates or college 
grounds, folk dance festivals on public 
playgrounds — though seldom seen in 
Boston — and benefit performances, are 
not new. There is novelty, however, 
in the free presentation, in a small 
neighborhood park of an immigrant 
district, of a classic dramatic performance 
set to music different from definitely 
timed dance music. Such a departure 
in free public entertainment on a play- 
ground commends itself to further con- 
sideration, and it is to be hoped that 
the recent presentation of a pantomime- 
pageant by Elizabeth Peabody House 
will open up a new series of similar op- 
portunities. 

In the days of chivalry pageants seem 
to have been for the nobles and given 
by the nobles. Recent pageants have 
been so elaborate that they have be- 
come merely events for a grand occasion. 
As a contrast, the performance of Pro- 
metheus given on the Charlesbank Play- 
ground was extremely simple and in- 
expensively prepared, yet it presented 
the changing groups, color effects, oddity 
of costumes, artistry and massing that 
we expect in the true pageant. 

The possibility of training both the 
mind and the visual sense for what 



stands for refined dramatic art, as 
against the cheap and often too sugges- 
tive productions of many theatres, ren- 
ders strong the appeal for multiplying 
such entertainments where entire families 
may congregate to enjoy something 
worth while. 

The far-reaching success of this tenta- 
tive eft'ort w^as best exemplified by the 
perfect order and evident appreciation 
of the vast audience. Every nationality 
was represented, and to many the Eng- 
lish language was unknown. Panto- 
mime, however, is an universal language 
capable of expressing its meaning di- 
rectly and forcibly to persons speaking 
various tongues and of uniting them all 
in common enjoyment. That those as- 
sembled did understand was [proved by 
the expression of keen 'pleasure andijthe 
spontaneous applause at telling moments 
as the plot unfolded. Acting and dancing 
came early enough into the settlement, 
but pantomime has only just reached 
us, yet it is the oldest art of all and 
especially adapted to the needs of cos- 
mopolitan sections. 

Too much credit cannot be given 
Miss Eleanora M. Curtis, a volunteer 
worker at Elizabeth Peabody House, for 
her originality and cleverness in adapt- 
ing the Greek myth to the themes of 



156 



NEW BOSTON 




THE shephp:rd and his sheep 



Beethoven's score. Wisely enough she 
avoided any use of theatrical ballet such 
as is seen in royal opera houses and for 
which purpose Beethoven is said to 
have written the music. Instead, Miss 
Curtis trained the caste to tell the 
mythological story of Prometheus 
silently by fitting gestures and effective, 
simple dances. 

Prometheus is one of the more moral 
of the mythological tales and was made 
by Miss Curtis into a strong, clear cut 
pantomime. The thread of the story as 
it was arranged was kept unbroken 
through the maze of the various dances 
which added and attracted and kept 
action in the plot. Throughout the per- 
formance the interesting music could be 
heard, now soft, now weird, now fast, 
now merry. 

The Story ^ — Act I. The Storm. 

Prometheus, a friend to mortals, comes 
bringing his gift of fire from the far 
away heavens. Mercury is sent by 
Jove to punish Prometheus for giving 
such power to mortals as this fire be- 
stows. The flowers, a group of children 



dressed to represent garden flowers dan- 
cing fancifully, are blown about and 
Prometheus is led away to be chained 
on Mount Caucasus. 

Act II. The Lovers. 

Venus and Minerva bring Pandora to 
earth accompanied by Mercury and 
"the seasons and graces." This gives 
the opportunity for more dancing. Venus 
gives Pandora the gift of "beauty" and 
Minerva the "distaff and the veil," 
emblems of household arts and modesty. 

As ages have passed, Prometheus is 
free again, and now he and his young 
brother, Epimetheus, are walking to- 
gether talking of the farming. Epi- 
metheus sees Pandora! But Prometheus, 
older and wiser, knows there is a curse 
on her (Mercury's gift of curiosity.) In 
vain he tries to distract Epimetheus' 
attention. Epimetheus is enamoured of 
the maiden. He resents his brother's 
interference. They wrestle, and the 
younger man wins. Epimetheus offers 
himself to Pandora. He is accepted 
after a flirtation dance by Pandora. 
To celebrate their betrothal — Mercury 



BEETHOVEN'S PROMETHEUS 



\5t 



and the Flowers dance; Minerva and 
Venus dance; the Nymphs dance, and 
Cupid is everywhere. 

Act III. The Box. 

The shy Oceanides come up to see and 
to hear what is going on, and to dance 
on the green earth. Tlie Fauns come and 
are followed by Little Pan, who beckons 
and calls them away with him, because 
the wedding of Epimetheus and Pandora 
is about to be celebrated. (Full wed- 
ding procession.) 

After the nuptials are over and the 
guests gone, Prometheus takes his brother 
aside and warns him not to allow his 
young wife to open the box. Then he 
leaves the bridal pair alone. Epimetheus 
follows his brother's direction and Pan- 
dora, who has supposed the chest to 
contain wedding gifts for herself, is 
surprised and hurt. Epimetheus tries 
to comfort her. 

But the curse of the Gods must fall! 
Mercury is again sent to earth, this 
time to call Epimetheus away from his 
bride that she may be tempted by her 
curiosity to open the box and let out 
the demons of Pain, Spite and Passion 
among humans. All this comes to pass 
and one thing more, on which the angry 
Gods did not count — Hope, the blessing 
of humanity, helps Pandora to put the 
evil spirits back into the box. Epi- 
metheus has returned ere this, and he 
and Pandora are reunited. Pomona 
and Terpsichore and other friendly di- 
vinities come to dance on the earth in 
celebration of the reunion. 

The principals in the caste were as- 
sisted by volunteers and workers at the 
Elizabeth Peabody House. Minor roles 
were taken by the younger members of the 
settlement clubs and classes. Pandora, 
the heroine, was assumed by Miss Vir- 
ginia Tanner, M. A., whose exquisite 
interpretation and- grace could not but 
fire the imagination. 

When the idea of giving the panto- 
mime was presented only a lukewarm 
interest was observed in both children 
and mothers. This was but natural 
as the Greek pageant was quite outside 
their experience. One class began re- 
hearsing, however, caught the enthusi- 
asm, then a boys' club joined the lists 



and soon the interest was general. The 
excitement of dancing and making cos- 
tumes held the children tensely. The 
boys wavered several times, and those 
who could not stand being called "sissy" 
dropped out. The others, however, stuck 
manfully to their parts and are now re- 
warded by being quite the heroes of the 
neighborhood. The matter of costume, 
including head-dress, was amusing to 
the last degree. The fauns, flowers, 
graces and seasons w^ere considerably 
concerned in the beginning about ap- 
pearing in the Greek designs. The cos- 
tumes were doffed suspiciously with 
considerable giggling. Soon, the romance 
of wearing the "queer" style of apparel 




TERPSICHORE, MISS ELEANOR CURTIS, 
AND CUPID 



158 



NEW BOSTON 



began to assert itself, and the children 
wanted "full-dress rehearsals" every day. 
The vari-eolored cheesecloths put new 
life into the dancers and the de- 
butante performers were ready to dance 
morning, noon and night. 

The pantomime occupied the minds 
of the children for about three months. 
In many instances real talent was found 



on the playground was given to the 
neighborhood children under sixteen. 

Such ])ageants have their educational 
value. Every boy and girl of the neigh- 
borhood now knows at least one Greek 
myth and all were told of the Greece of 
that time. All those who took part 
caught something of the fancy which 
lies in Greek mythology. Not only 




EPIMETHEUS CALLS PANDORA'S ATTENTION TO 
THE FATAL BOX 



and the power of interpretation seemed 
to grow as the parts were better under- 
stood and the imagination awakened. 
Long, tiresome rehearsals were avoided. 
The children were trained in groups and 
only one lesson a week was given until 
the last week when four full rehearsals 
were held. On the night before the pub- 
lic performance — the only dress rehearsal 



those who participated but the parents 
and friends felt the magic spell which 
surrounded the personified gods and 
goddesses, nymphs, and fauns, and 
whenever in the years to come any one 
of the children in the pantomime sees a 
Greek picture or catches words Pan- 
dora, Prometheus or Mercury a definite 
meaning will be flashed into their minds. 



BEETHOVEN'S PROMETHEUS 



159 



The girls' part of the Charlesbank 
Playground is particularly adapted for 
this sort of production. There is a well- 
kept lawn surrounded by full grown 
bushes which gives the illusion of se- 
clusion. Had it not been for the splen- 
did co-operation of Mr. Pettigrew, sup- 
erintendent of public ])arks, Mr. Shay and 
his workers the performance would have 
been an impossibility. 

Such a performance is quite different 
from plays and operettas which require 
expensive scenery. In this instance two 
trees which were needed were planted 
to one side of the center; Greek stand- 
ards, which were lighted to represent 
the "fire from heaven," were placed 
on either side of the space allotted as 
the stage. Sheep were brought from 
Franklin Park to give the real pastoral 
touch and were tended by a settlement 
boy, who was proud indeed of the sheep- 
skin which as a shepherd he was allowed 
to wear. The rest of the setting was the 
natural surroundings of the place — 
the shimmer of the Charles River, the 
sun and the shadows. 



If the audience at the outset came 
from mere curiosity to see what was 
meant by giving a play out-of-doors and 
with such queer personages and costumes, 
after the first dance of the children the 
entire attitude changed to one of ap- 
preciative attention. Since the event, 
request after request has come for its 
reproduction. Those of the West End 
residents who saw it have no doubt 
lived many times over the effect of the 
scene as presented at the close of the 
afternoon — an effect which sent the imag- 
ination distances away. 

It is well that the playground should 
be looked upon as a center for whole- 
some, neighborhood, open-air recreation 
for adult and juvenile. Too often is 
the adult made to feel outside of those 
pleasures that keep the heart young. 
The summer months should be made the 
most of for those who must remain at home 
in the congested districts. Given the free 
use of the public playgrounds and parks, 
organized amusements which are varied 
and elevated could be brought within the 
reach of vast numbers of persons. 




EPIMETIIEUS PLEADING WITH PANDORA. 

Epimotlu'us, William Paul; Pandora, Miss Virginia Tanner 



Boston-1915 Boys' Games 



Tlie first of the 1J)1U track meets conducted by the Boston-1915 Boys' Games 
Committee, was held on Saturchiy, July 23, as we w^ere going to press. Next month 
we shall be able to i)resent a summary of the games to date. The schedule follows: 



TRACK MEETS 



Playground 

Charlo.sl);ink 
First Street 
Roslimliilc 
Miircclhi Street 
N. liriKhtou 
Wood Island 
Charlestown 
Franklin Field 
North F^nd Park 
Columbns Avenue 



Beaches 

North F:nd Park 
Dewey 
L Street 
Wood Island 



Date 

Jnly !^.'5 
July ;50 
July 23 
July 30 
July 30 
August C) 
August () 
August 6 
August 13 
August 13 
Final Meet 



M. 
M. 



Tin 
3 P. 
3 P. 

3 p. M. 
3 P. M. 
3 P. M. 
3 P. M. 
3 P. M. 
3 P. M. 
3 P. 
3 P. 



M. 
M. 



In Charge 

John D. O'Reilly 
F. J. O'Brien 
M. J. Redding 
F. L. O'Brien 
W. C. Matthews 
J. J. O'Donnell 
J. H. Crowley 
F. L. O'Brien 
M. J. Redding 
W. C. Matthews 



at Wood Island, August 27, at 2.30 



Open to Residents of 

West End 
South Boston 
Beyond Forest Hills 
Roxbury and Jamaica Plain 
Brighton and Allston 
East Boston 
Charlestown 
Dorchester 
North End 
City and South End 
P. M. 



SWIMMING MEETS 

Date Time 

Julv 30 3 P. M. 

July 30 3 P. M. 

August 13 3 P. M. 

August 13 3 P. M. 



In Charge 

J. McNamara 
Henry Higgins 
John Driscoll 



■^ Open to 

( boys and girls 

C who are residents 



Matthew Leary / of Boston 



No one who has won first or second place in any event, may enter the same event in a second meet. 



TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS 

Intermediate 

Boys from 5 feet 1 inch to 5 feet 
5 inches in height, or from 14 to 
16 years of age inclusive 

75-yard dash 

220-yard run 

440-yard run 

Running Broad 

Running High 

Shot-Put, 8 lbs. 



Junior 

Boys under 5 feet 1 inch in 
height, or under 14 years of 
age 

50-yard dash 
110-yard run 
Running Broad 
Running High 
Shot-Put, 5 lbs. 



Senior 
Boys 5 feet 5 inches and over in 
height, or from 17 to 19 years of 
age inclusive 

100-yard dash 

220-yard run 

440-yard run 

880-yard run 

Mile run 

Running Broad 

Running High 

Shot-Put, 12 lbs. 

RELAY— FINAL MEET ONLY 

Senior, intermediate, and junior teams from each district. 

Four men on a team, each man to run 220 yards on senior team and 110 yards on intermediate and 
junior teams. 

WATER SPORTS 

Girls' — Seniors Girls' — Juniors Boys' — Senior 

50-yard dash 50-yard dash 50-yard dash 

Diving for form Diving for form Diving for form 

440 yards 
Under water swim 

for distance 
Tub race 
Senior: Any boy or girl between the ages of 16 and 19 inclusive. 
Junior: Any boy or girl between the ages of 12 and 15 inclusive. 



Boys' — Junior 

50-yard dash 
Diving for form 



In the preliminary meet, prizes will be solid silver medals for first; solid bronze medals for second. 
In the final meet, cui)s will be awarded. 

F'irst, second, third, and fourth in preliminaries qualify for the final meet. 
No boy will be allowed to compete in the final meet who did not compete in the preliminary. 
No one will be allowed to compete outside of his or her class. 
Events are ojjcn to amateurs only. 

Ojjcn only to the district in which the meet is held, with the exception of the swimming races. 
No boy shall enter in more than one running event besides the dash and two field events, relay excepted. 
.\11 contestants nuist a])pear in proper athletic costume, and must conform to the amateur regulation 
governing track and field events. 

All entries must be ai>proved by the athletic instructor of the district in which the entry is made. 
All entries close at 9 P. M. on the day before the meet. 



New York's Public School Athletics 



GEORGE W. WINGATE 



I sincerely hope 
that Boston does 
not present the tre- 
mendous civic prob- 
lem which exists in 
the congested tene- 
ment districts o f 
New York. Never- 
theless, yours is 
such a great city 
and has such a 
diversified popula- 
tion that the differ- 
ence can only be 
one of degree. 

Although col- 
umns and even 
pages of the daily 
newspapers have 
been filled, day 
after day, with long 
discussions of the 

work of the New York league, yet 
it is curious to note how comparatively 
few there are even in New York who know 
what has been accomplished. The news 
in respect to the league is usually pub- 
lished in the sporting columns of the 
newspapers which the most influential 
classes of the community never read. In 
consequence few are aware that although 
but six years old, the league has become 
probably one of the largest athletic 
organizations of the world. 

The vast size of the New York public 
school system is seldom appreciated. The 
children enrolled number over 625,000, 
about equally divided as to sex, of whom 
some 150,000 are boys old enough to 
engage in athletics. This total is more 
than the aggregate population of St. 
Louis, the fourth city of the union, which 
has but 575,000. the National Guard 
of New York is the largest military or- 
ganization in the country next to the 
regular army. Yet it is only 1 4,000 
strong, and there are nearly that number 
of teachers in our public schools. These 




HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TROPHY 



schools are 630 in 
number, and are 
scattered over an 
area of 230 square 
miles. It was there- 
fore no light task to 
establish a system 
which would in- 
volve the handling 
of an e n o r m o u s 
army, greater than 
any which was ever 
brought together in 
our Civil War. 

On December 4, 
1903, the Public 
Schools Athletic 
League was incor- 
porated. A great 
deal of its success 
must be ascribed to 
the wise selection 
of the gentlemen who have since been 
identified with it, whose experience and 
services have been invaluable. It was 
made up of men who were prominent 
in educational circles, including City 
Superintendent Maxwell, Dr. Luther 
Halsey Gulick, then superintendent of 
physical training, Dr. John H. Finlay, 
president of the College of the City of 
New York and a number of other 
superintendents and teachers; of men 
who were interested in athletics, like 
James E. Sullivan, president of the 
A. A. U., Gustavus T. Kirby, a leader 
in college athletics; and of prominent 
business men such as S. R. Guggenheim, 
who accepted the office of treasurer, 
John S. Huyler and others who furnished 
the sinews of war, without which nothing 
could be accomplished. I had the honor 
to be elected president because, as I 
l)resume, I was not only a member of the 
Board of Education but also had been 
interested in athletics and luid a good 
deal of experience — through my long 
service in the National Rifle Association — 



* Portions of an address delivered before'the Youths Conference of'Boston-1915 



162 



NEW BOSTON 



in the organization and management of 
a movement of this character. 

Immediately after the organization 
of the league, and although there had 
been no opportunity of actually doing 
any work among the schoolboys, an 
athletic meeting was held at Madison 
Square Garden, for the purpose of bring- 
ing the matter before the public. We 
had grave doubts whether the enter- 
prise could possibly be made worth while 
in the brief time that was available for 
preparation, and with our want of 
adequate organization. The meeting 
was a magnificent success, however, 
largely owing to the numbers of crack 
athletes from the various athletic clubs 
and organizations, who volunteered their 
services, so that there was no want of 
most competent su])erintendence. There 
were over 1,500 entries, an unpre- 
cedented number for such a meeting, 
and Madison Square Garden was packed 
with a howling but otherwise orderly 
mob of 5,000, whose enthusiasm made the 
ordinary college contest sound like a 
Sunday-school picnic. This meeting 
settled the question so far as the 
boys were concerned. There was no 
doubt that the movement would receive 
their enthusiastic support. A campaign for 
funds and prizes was successfully prose- 
cuted by the officers of the league. Prob- 
ably the greatest assistance received was 
from President Roosevelt, who not only 
accepted the office of honorary vice-presi- 
dent, which he now holds, but wrote a 
public letter strongly commending the 
work of the league, which was an en- 
dorsement of the highest value. 

A large number of gentlemen, including 
J. Pierpont Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, 
John D. Rockefeller, Harry Payne 
Whitney, and many others, have sub- 
scribed the funds required. They have 
also presented many valuable prizes for 
competition in the different athletic 
events. We now have 136 of these prizes, 
many of which are extremely beautiful 
and valuable. A number of them are 
"championship trophies," which are held 
for a year l)y the school which wins them. 
While the individual and team contests 
are very valuable in s'imulating interest 
in athletics, the league is more desirous 
of raising the standard of the mass of 
the boys than it is of having the dif- 



ferent schools turn out a small aggre- 
gation of star athletes. For this purpose 
it has established a "button" similar 
to the "marksman's badge," used in the 
army and in the National Guard. The 
league offers these badges to each boy 
who annually passes a certain simple 
standard of "chinning" on a bar (or 
pull up), running and jumping. 

We found when we commenced our 
work that the children coming from many 
of the congested districts were physically 
much below what normal boys should 
be. They could run a little, probably 
because they were accustomed to dodge 
policemen; but they could not jump, and 
they had almost no strength in their 
chests or arms. This button soon effected 
a wonderful change, proving as valu- 
able in the schools as the marksman's 
badge has been among our soldiers. 
Our records show that when we com- 
menced to test the boys, not more than 
three or four in schools having from 200 to 
500 competitors, had sufficient strength 
to pass the test, while the ordinary husky 
country boy would not have the slightest 
difficulty in doing so twice over. The 
school that won the "chinning" contest 
recently completed. Public School 72, 
Brooklyn, averaged for the sixth year 
class 12.9 pull ups, for the seventh year 
class 15.5 pull ups and for the eighth year 
class 19.7 pull ups. Moreover the buttons 
won have increased from 1,162 in 1904-5 
to 7,049 last year, and will be 10,000 this 
year. 

With every year the standard of ath- 
letic ability in the schools becomes 
higher, and records which were con- 
sidered wonderful when made are sur- 
passed. Accompanying this is a marked 
improvement in carriage of the person, 
alertness of mind and body, and the 
general air of strength and health re- 
sulting from the athletic exercises which 
the children have pursued. Gratifying 
as this is from the physical side, the 
improvement in ethics, school discipline 
and esprit de corps is even greater, a fact 
which has made the supervising and 
teaching force of the schools firm sup- 
porters of our work. Under no circum- 
stances is any pupil allowed to compete 
in any of the league games unless he is 
certified by his principal with "B" 
(the passing mark) in efifort, proficiency 



NEW YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS 



163 




THE A. G. SPALDING TROPHY 

and deportment during the month pre- 
vious and has attended his school for 
twenty weeks (except when regularly 
transferred) . No teacher in any school 
is permitted to offer any inducement 
to cause the pupil of any other school 
to sever his athletic connection with 
another school. 

In addition to the muscular develop- 
ment coming from its athletic exercises, 
the league endeavors in every way to 
inculcate good habits, and in particular 
"square dealing," not only among the 
boys in the schools, but among the 
principals and all connected with the 
games. Its teaching in this direction 
is best illustrated by the following extracts 
from a letter, which its president sent 
to the schools : 

Now, boys, the league wishes you all to keep 
on. It wishes every school to take an active interest 
in athletics. It wishes every boy to win its button, 
and to wear it, to show that he is an athlete. You 
cannot expect success in life, however well you may 
be educated, imless you have a sound body. You 
also need those mental cjualities of cjuickncss, de- 
termination and nerve which athletics develop. 
You can only get these by practice in your youth. 
You must also remember that to be an athlete you 
must take care of your body besides exercising it. 
You must keep your skin clean (which means fre- 
quent bathing), you must take lots of sleep, and 
you nuist keejj out of the bad influences of the 
streets, if you want to be strong, .\bove all, you 
must not smoke cigaretti's. It stunts your develop- 
ment, injures your heart and spoils yom- "wind." 
A grown man may smoke a pipe or cigar, without 
injury, although men in training stop smoking. 



But smoking of any sort is bad for growing athletes, 
and cigarettes with them are fatal to all prospects 
of success. 

In conclusion, I would urge you to always bear 
in mind that in all your contests you must "play 
fair"; despise everything that is tricky or mean; 
always abide strictly by the rules; strive to win by 
your own superior athletic prowess; do not be hunt- 
ing for technicalities upon which to base protests 
against your opponents and accept the decisions 
of the officials of the games without complaint 
and in a sportsmanlike spirit. Do not unduly 
boast when you are fortunate enough to win; be 
a cheerful, manly loser when you do lose, and the 
first to congratulate your successful opponents. 
Remember, that to be a good athlete means to be 
a square, honorable gentleman. 

There is nothing particularly new in 
such advice. It is what would occur 
to any sensible man, who knows the 
children of the schools. Coming from a 
clergyman or educational authority, it 
would make no impression whatever 
upon the average boy; but from an 
official of the league, recognized as an 
athletic authority, and given not as 
moral teaching but as advice on becoming 
a winning athlete, it is accepted by the 
boys as gospel. And it is followed, 
as is too often not the case with the 
gospel. 

The organization of the league was 
largely based upon the methods which 
were used in the establishment of 
the National Rifle Association. It is 
thorough and far-extending. The parent 
organization is managed by an executive 
committee, consisting of the president, 
the treasurer, the secretary (who is 
also the teacher of physical training of 
the Board of Education), James E. Sul- 
livan and Gustavus T. Kirby. 

New York city is divided into forty- 
six educational districts, to each of which 
is assigned a member of the Board of 
Education and in which there is a local 
board, composed generally of two men 
and three women, who have the super- 
vision of the detail work of the schools. 
A district superintendent is assigned to 
each two adjoining districts, making 
twenty-three sub-districts under their 
charge. We have organized district 
leagues in each of these twenty-three 
districts, composed of the district super- 
intendent, members of the local boards, 
l)rincipals and teachers, and also a number 
of other residents of the district who are 
interested in the work. There are two 
other leagues covering single districts 



164 



NEW BOSTON 



in the suburbs, making twenty-five in 
all, having one hundred and forty-four 
officers. These leagues take charge of 
the school athletics in their respective 
districts, provide funds for maintenance 
and thus relieve the central body of a 
great deal of work. There is also an 
elementary school games committee and 
a high school games committee, made up 
of delegates from these district leagues, 
which pass upon all questions in regard 
to the holding of meetings, qualifica- 
tions of competitors and similar matters, 
their action being under the general 
supervision of the executive committee 
of the league. 

Each school holds competitions, 
through which it selects those who stand 
the highest. These represent the school 
in the games which are held under the 
auspices of its district league. The suc- 
cessful competitors in the district com- 
petitions compete for the champion- 
ships in the spring and fall indoor and 
outdoor meetings which are held directly 
under the auspices of the league. 

In the three years that have elapsed 
since the league commenced work, it 
has built up an immense organization. 
The large colleges think they are doing 
very well if they can hold an athletic 
meet once a year, at which there will 
be some 100 to 150 competitors. The 
Public Schools Athletic League has held 
in one year 630 athletic meetings, at 
many of which there were over a thou- 
sand competitors, and a single school 
will hold a meeting, at which there will 
be 700 entries. 

It is needless to say that baseball 
constitutes a most popular feature. Dur- 
ing the last year, there were 106 baseball 
teams competing against one another. 
The final match for the championship 
was held in the Polo Grounds. The skill 
which is shown compares favorably with 
any of the professional teams, and the 
enthusiasm is even greater than at a 
league contest. 

Running in all its forms (exce})t for 
long distance), baseball, basketball, 
lawn tennis, jumping, putting the shot, 

f)ole vaulting, swinnning and soccer 
ootball for boys (not Rugby), folk 
dancing, approjjriate athletic games and 
various other exercises for girls, are 
P9.rrie4 op under the auspices of the 




ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BASKETBALL 
TROPHY 

league. In doing this it seeks to en- 
courage those exercises which will reach 
the mass of the school children, rather 
than those which will be practiced by a 
few experts. In particular, the league 
is developing with success a system of 
competition between classes where eighty 
per cent of each class must participate, 
and the average of all constitutes the 
record. This is proving to be effective 
in inducing exercise by many who would 
not otherwise compete and who are the 
very ones who are most in need of it. 
Although new% the system is becoming 
popular. Its greatest advantage perhaps 
is that as the work of every boy counts, 
class pride exerts a pressure which com- 
pels many laggards to fit themselves 
for the competitions. In 1909 there 
were 736 classes, aggregating 18,910 
boys that competed in these events. 

It is probable that none of the many 
activities which the league is carrying 
on is likely to have as important an in- 
fluence upon the country at large as the 
system of instruction in military rifle 
shooting, which it has installed in the 
high schools. Until the invention of 
the sub-target gun machine, this would 
have been impossible, as not only were 
there no places where the boys could 
be safely taught to shoot, but the ex- 
pense of ammunition would have been 
prohibitory. The machine has, however, 
removed these difficulties. It consists 
of a standard on the top of Avhich is a 
mechanism, to which js attached au 



NEW YORK'S PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETICS 



165 



ordinary Krag military rifle. This is 
so adjusted that when aim is taken with 
the rifle at a target across the room, 
and the trigger is })ulled, the machine 
will register upon a miniature target 
the exact relative place where the target 
would have been hit if the gun had been 
loaded. As there is no danger, practice 
is rapid and costs nothing. The sub- 
target device has also the great advantage 
that the instructor who stands alongside 
of the boy who is shooting, is able to 
follow on the miniature target the manner 
in which he is aiming, and to correct 
his defects in holding, an impossibility 
with a loaded gun. 

Through the generosity of its friends, 
the league has installed one of these guns 
in each of twelve high schools of the city. 
The young men attending these high 
schools are from fourteen to eighteen 
years of age, and the "pick" of the 
elementary schools, as the great majority 
attending the latter are forced to go to 
work as soon as they graduate, usually 
at the age of fourteen. 

During 1909 over a thousand boys 
were regularly practicing and on May 24, 
1909, 434 were reported as qualifying 
as marksmen, by making offhand scores 
of forty-five points out of fifty, as com- 
pared with 273 in 1908. The boys that 
win their marksmanship badges are 
permitted to practice with cartridges 
in the rifle galleries of the different 
regiments, and with the experience which 
they have had with the machine, soon 
develop into remarkable shots. 

In the tournament which took place 
under the auspices of the National 
Rifle Association at the Sportsmen's 
Show in March, 1910, over 1,500 boys 
participated, more, in fact, than the 
eleven target ranges and the sub-target 
gun machines that were provided would 
permit. 25,000cartridges were fired. The 
shooting was at sixty feet, bull's eye, 
one inch counting five; center, 3j inches, 
counting four; inner, of inches, counting 
three. The marksmanship was fully 
equal to anything which has ever been 
seen in any of the National Guard com- 
petitions. 

If this system of the high schools in 
New York should be extended to the 
other high schools of the country, as it 
is likely, there should be at least 20,000 



young men out of those who graduate 
every year who would be effective shots 
with a military rifle, a skill they will 
never lose. 

The league had only been established 
a short time when its attention was 
called to the necessity of extending its 
work so as to cover the needs of the 
girls of the schools. Bad as is the con- 
dition of boys in the congested districts, 
it is infinitely worse in respect to the 
girls. While a boy can get some little 
exercise in the street, a girl cannot; the 
influence of the streets is such that every 
mother that can keeps her child indoors. 
The result is that the little girls have no 
exercise at all or have what little they 
can obtain under circumstances which 
are most demoralizing. 

While many of the managers of the 
league were familiar with athletics, they 
soon appreciated that athletics for girls 
could only be properly handled by 
women. The Girls' Branch of the 
Public Schools Athletic League was there- 
fore organized, the officers and directors 
of which now include many of the most 
prominent ladies in New York who have 
organized a thorough system of physical 
instruction. Various games have been 
adopted which are deemed best for the 
physical development of girls, ]\Irs. 
Henry Siegel having offered fifty dollars 
as a prize for the stimulation of original 
work. 

In order to extend the organization 
among the schools the girls' branch has 
established a series of classes in athletic 
instruction, which teachers attend for 
pleasure as well as profit, those teachers 
who agree to instruct their classes having 
the benefit of these classes themselves, 
without charge. A large number have 
availed themselves of this privilege, and 
in this way the work has spread through- 
out most of the different schools attended 
by girls. 

The exercises which are generally 
practiced by the girls are folk dancing. 
These quaint, peasant dances, which 
are not only interesting as dances, but 
also involve a good deal of gymnastic 
work, develop strength and agility, as 
well as grace. They also enable a large 
number to take part at one time. Relay 
races of different kinds, in which the 
different classes compete against each 



166 



NEW BOSTON 



other as teams, are also a favorite 
feature. 

One of the greatest difficulties that has 
been experienced by the league has been 
to obtain space where the children could 
have an opportunity to practice, and 
where the games could be held. They 
have utilized the gymnasiums of such 
schools as have gymnasiums; the yards 
of the schools, their roofs, when they 
could be fitted up for that purpose, and 
in many cases, where the travel would 
permit, the streets. They have also 
hired various athletic fields on many 
occasions. Their main reliance for their 
indoor games is upon the armories of the 
National Guard regiments which have 
been most generously placed at their 
disposal by the regimental commanders. 

The success which has })een attained 
by the league called public attention so 
strongly to the necessities and value 
of the athletic development of the chil- 
dren, that the city has made an appro- 
priation of $500,000, with which four 
athletic fields have been purchased and 
fitted up. These fields are equipped in 
a first-class manner, with running tracks, 
jumping facilities; grandstands contain- 
ing lavatories, dressing rooms, and every- 
thing necessary for the accommodation 
of the children. The fields are used for 
the outdoor events and are constantly 
occupied. Last year each school was 
allowed an athletic day, when the whole 
school, except the children too young 
to exercise, went in a body to one of 
the fields and held its school exercises. 

A great deal of the success of the league 
must be ascribed to the fact that it is 



not an official body. The schools of 
New York are good. They have in them 
a first class corps of physical instructors, 
and the children are trained in the regula- 
tion calisthenic exercises. But calisthenic 
exercises are not play and are not com- 
petitive. The, ordinary child does not 
begin to take the interest in them that 
he does in the games of the league. That 
this is the case is demonstrated by the 
great improvement that has followed 
the work of the league. The point, 
however, is that it is practically impos- 
sible, with the red tape of the organiza- 
tion of an ordinary city, to do the things 
that are necessary to organize and carry 
out such work as the league is doing. 
Moreover the enthusiasm of men who 
are interested in work of this description 
results in efforts and an efficiency which 
seldom, if ever, can be obtained from 
salaried officials. 

When the eleven cities I have men- 
tioned have taken up this matter, surely 
Boston should not be left behind. If 
you will undertake it, it is certain that 
the movement will soon become as ex- 
tensive and valuable and prominent as 
it has in New York. That it will be en- 
thusiastically received by the boys, is 
self-evident. It will be also equally 
appreciated by parents who desire that 
their sons shall grow up to be manly, 
strong boys, and their daughters healthy 
and active. That in doing this, a benefit 
will be conferred not only upon the chil- 
dren but upon the municipality, the 
state and the country, is too clear for 
argument. What are you going to do 
about it, not in 1915, but now ? 




HIGH SCHOOL LNDOOli CliAMi'iONSHIP TROPHY 



Individual Responsibility for Clean Streets 



GUY C. EMERSON 



To the municipal official in charge 
of a department of street maintenance 
and cleaning, and the two problems are 
necessarily intimately connected, the 
street-cleaning question is a particularly 
discouraging one, as the need for such 
work should not be and is not, in a 
large measure, necessary. 

Of the three principal causes of street 
litter, the acts of irresponsible, thought- 
less, or malicious citizens, the defilement 
of animals and the natural wear of the 
materials of which the street is con- 
structed, the first is by far the principal 
cause and one that could be obviated, 
if proper measures were taken and 
proper responsibilities assumed. 

Under any circumstances perfection in 
street cleaning is not possible of attain- 
ment and can only be a comparative 
matter depending upon such conditions 
as the character of pavements, the avail- 
able appropriation and the efficiency of 
the working force ; but even given reason- 
able conditions in such matters, the 
acts of citizens themselves often prevent 
the best possible result. 

The problem, moreover, is one in 
which citizens have a direct financial 
interest, as the expenditure of appropri- 
ations for necessary work decreases, by 
such an amount, the sum that should 
be available for the removal of unavoid- 
able litter. 

In preventing avoidable litter and in 
attempting to enforce the various stat- 
utes, ordinances and regulations that 
are in existence in every city of im- 
portance, the official is handicapped be- 
cause of the impossibility of expressing 
in dollars and cents the damage done by 
dirty streets or the value of his work. 
The importance of human life or of 
human efficiency in general are not mat- 
ters capable of such definite expresNion; 
and beyond the statistics of govern- 
mental work in the cities of our troj)ical 
possessions, and the comparison of the 



statistics of local health boards, which 
usually are indefinite and sometimes 
misleading, the official in the great 
majority of cases has no convincing 
argument to offer in support of his con- 
tentions and arguments. As a result, 
the statutes and ordinances in the mat- 
ter, such as those relating to the littering 
of streets, the distribution of handbills, 
the disposal of rubbish, the character 
of garbage receptacles and similar en- 
actments are largely, if not entirely 
disregarded. 

Moreover, the enforcement of any 
violation of law must of necessity rest 
with a local police force that is usually 
independent of the street-cleaning force, 
and very little in sympathy with its ob- 
jects or appreciative of its importance. 
Infractions of sanitary regulations are 
usually placed in the category of minor 
misdemeanors which do not by law 
permit of immediate arrest or prosecu- 
tion upon circumstantial evidence, but 
which require actual witnesses to secure 
conviction, if indeed the judicial officer, 
before whom the offender is summoned, 
does not regard the case beneath his 
dignity in importance. Under such cir- 
cumstances the street-cleaning official 
may well be pardoned if he accepts 
conditions as they are found and at- 
tempts very little in the way of inno- 
vations or initiative, or in plans to 
enforce regulations. 

A protest often met by the street 
cleaner is that the litter caused by the 
public is largely in the nature of light 
rubbish such as paper, sticks, leaves, 
etc., which may be objectionable from 
an aesthetic standpoint, but cannot be 
so considered from a sanitary view. 
While at first thought such arguments 
may seem to have an element of reason 
and in some cases an element of truth, 
as a nuitter of fact under certain con- 
ditions such litter may become most 
objectionable and dangerous. Light 



'Portion of an address delivered before the New England Conference on Street Cleaning held In Providence, R. I. 



168 



NEW BOSTON 



waste, from its very character, is readily 
blown about and carried long distances 
by the wind. When saturated with 
street filth in addition to auy defilement 
at its place of origin, it may become a 
most dangerous form of litter, not even 
excepting the street dust; and unlike 
the dust it is not in the same measure 
capable of confinement to the street 
surface. 

Nor is the aesthetic element to be en- 
tirely neglected. The pleasure and satis- 
faction resulting to residents and abutting 
property owners from clean yards and 
streets in the suburban districts and 
to the inhabitants of the business sec- 
tions, should be an immense incentive to 
voluntary effort in the preservation of 
municipal cleanliness. 

A source of pollution of the public 
streets which is of extreme importance 
in the city of Boston, and I presume in 
other cities also, a source over wdiich 
the street-cleaning force has no control 
and for which the citizens themselves 
are directly responsible, is the private 
streets and alleys. 

The nuisance from litter on thorough- 
fares is increased in these private ways 
from which every strong wind brings ad- 
ditional litter to the adjoining public 
street. The sanitary condition of the 
private streets is under the control of 
the local health board, but nevertheless 
many escape the attention that should 
be given them on account of the fact 
that oftentimes the residents are not 
the actual owners and because of the 
trouble and delay involved in legal 
proceedings. The persistent use by 
householders of improper receptacles for 
household waste, the nuisance of flying 
paper torn from billboards, the litter 
from overloaded teams, the sweeping 
of stores and offices directly into streets, 
the distribution of handbills, etc., are 
directly the result of lack of apprecia- 
tion of responsibilities by citizens; and 
yet they are easy of correction if proper 
measures are taken. 

I do not wish to be understood as con- 
tending that street cleaning is a matter 
entirely for the i)rivate citizen or that 
under present circumstances, (lecided im- 
provements are not ])ossible in the ma- 
jority of cases, but I desire to emphasize 
the conditions that might be reached if 



citizens in general were imbued with 
sufficient public spirit to fulfill their 
legitimate obligations in keeping their 
streets in a safe and sanitary shape. 
The burden of the work and responsi- 
bility, of course, rests with the street- 
cleaning official, but in their technical 
duties great assistance and support can 
be rendered by the public, although 
useful help is rarely obtained. 

The first requirement of the official 
for obtaining clean streets is to find a 
pavement of such a character that can 
be kept in a good condition with the 
least expenditure of time and money. 
In this effort he immediately encounters 
the opposition of the particular interests 
that require, for business reasons or 
individual preference, a particular form 
of pavement. The pavement that is 
to be kept perfectly clean must have a 
smooth surface like asphalt or wood 
block and the difficulties of cleaning 
increase in proportion to the roughness 
of the material vnitil the limit of difficulty 
is reached in the cobble stone; and while 
rough pavements are impossible to keep 
clean of injurious filth, the question of 
expense and the wishes of teaming or 
other commercial interests are frequently 
given precedence over the health and 
welfare of the public. 

An educational course, regarding the 
dangers of street filth, is greatly needed 
by such special interests and especially 
by our friends of the society with the 
long name, who have been largely in- 
strumental in preventing the laying 
of smooth pavements in our city of 
Boston and in other cities also. Their 
zeal for the comfort of our dumb friends 
was well illustrated recently at a recent 
hearing before our local Board of Street 
Commissioners by a prominent lawyer 
who with impatience parodied the 
w^ords of Chief Justice Taney, as 
follows: "Even men have some rights 
that horses are bound to respect." 
Here again we encounter a special in- 
terest engaged in humane and benev- 
olent work whose willingness to sacrifice 
the health of at least a portion of the 
community can only be attributed to 
lack of definite knowledge as to actual 
dangers. 

The adoption of modern methods of 
dust prevention by the use of oily com- 








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MiMiljilili iiiiiinr ^^ 



SOME OK BOSTON'S OILED STREETS 



i 




170 



NEW BOSTON 



pounds has made marked advances 
during tlie past three years and to my 
mind has contributed more to the preser- 
vation and maintaining of the public 
health than any recent innovation; here 
again lack of sanitary data has caused 
great opposition among those to whom 
the temporary inconvenience caused by 
the occasional application of the oil more 
than overbalanced the good results. 

In general it will be found of the aver- 
age citizen, that the only time that his 
interest is aroused in municipal af- 
fairs is when some action is taken that 
he thinks in some way conflicts with 
his immediate private interests. Many 
innovations in municipal work are aban- 
doned because of protests of individuals 
or unimportant groups, and because the 
general public has not sufficient public 
interest to inquire into their merits and 
oppose remonstrants. 

In my own experience the extensive 
application of oil to Boston streets dur- 
ing the year 1909 resulted in a deluge of 
protest and sometimes personal abuse 
through the daily press and by letter; 
although at present we have nearly 
400 miles of oiled streets and up to the 
beginning of the present month prac- 
tically no complaints had been received. 
Here again is a case where the actual 
beneficial results cannot be measured 
in money, and in fact it seems that the 
appreciation of the lack of dust was 
principally on account of personal com- 
fort and cleaner clothing and house- 
hold fittings. I, however, am firmly 
of the opinion that a far greater benefit 
accrued to the general health of the 
community. In this contention I am 
supported by the fact that the per- 
centage of death rate for the year was 
the smallest in the history of Boston, and 
I find a general agreement among those 
in charge of our institutions, that the 
percentage of throat and eye diseases 
was materially decreased by the marked 
absence of street dust during the summer 
season. 

The comparative absence of flies was 
frequently commented upon by citizens, 
and the action of oil was without doubt 
a great benefit in ]>reventing the breed- 
ing of these pests in street refuse and in 
furnishing a film of oil over the top of 
the sewer inlets and catch basins, thereby 



preventing the breeding of mosquitoes. 
It is only fair to state, however, that 
our local Health Board does not agree 
entirely with my contentions and is 
inclined to attribute the improved con- 
ditions to increased efficiency on their 
part. 

The actual executive work of the 
average street-cleaning department, as 
I have already stated, is not extremely 
complex or difficult, and the force of 
nearly any city, under competent di- 
rection, is capable of efficient work. 
With sufficient appropriation, very little 
assistance in the actual working of the 
department can be rendered by outside 
parties, and attempted interference usu- 
ally results in disorganization, discon- 
tent and impairment of the quality of 
the work performed. 

Various forms of improved machinery 
together with the adoption of advanced 
methods are being put in operation 
whenever circumstances allow, and each 
year improvements in service are being 
accomplished. The gradual elimination 
of political interference with the working 
force and the protection of civil service 
rules has, in general, greatly increased 
the efficiency of the service, and at the 
present time the greatest need of im- 
provement and the greatest chance for 
accomplishment lies with the individual 
citizen. 

The actual executive system of any 
street-cleaning department will usually 
be found to be the result of evolution 
best suited to the peculiar needs of a 
particular city. A live superintendent 
is usually far in advance of the private 
citizen or association in the examination 
of new methods and apparatus suited 
to the needs of his city, and in order that 
citizens' organizations may be of actual 
benefit they should, in my opinion, de- 
vote their energies to the instruction of 
the citizen as to his own duties and to 
the awakening of his civic responsi- 
bility. Do not attempt to interfere 
with work or methods without the fullest 
investigation of conditions, make your 
criticisms temperate and constructive, 
and if you have no better method to 
offer, let things alone. 

Encourage the preparation and dif- 
fusion of statistics regarding the results 
of dirtv streets. 



MODERN METHODS OF STREET CLEANING 



171 



Show the housekeeper where the mat- 
ter is of direct personal importance, in 
a pecuniary way if possible, because that 
is the only way to reach the majority. 

Endeavor to convince the person with 
special selfish interests that his specialty 
should be subordinated to the needs of 
the entire community. 

Attempt by instruction in the family 
to instill the importance of the larger 
matter of municipal cleanliness in ad- 
dition to personal cleanliness. 

Devote attention to the investigation 
of improved methods and results in other 
cities. 



Secure assisting and supporting legis- 
lation to insure the enforcement of sani- 
tary regulations. 

Secure through the local city govern- 
ment such appropriations as may be 
necessary for the efficient completion of 
the work to be done. Here also there is 
usually a fertile field for education. 

Advance methods designed to secure 
efficient labor forces and secure a per- 
manent tenure of office for the competent 
official. 

Constitute yourselves at all times a 
body for friendly and reasonable in- 
spection and criticism. 



Modern Methods of Street Cleaning' 



GEORGE A. SOPER 

Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers 



The work of cleaning city streets is 
at once the oldest and least developed 
l^ranch of ])ublic health work. In the 
business of municipal sanitation, there 
is no undertaking concerning whose 
results there is such universal dissatis- 
faction, or concerning whose correct 
principles so little is generally known. 

Many persons consider scavenging 
to be a disreputable kind of undertaking, 
and there are some who instinctively 
shrink from even discussing it. It is not 
to be wondered at under these circum- 
stances that progress in the art of street 
cleaning should be slow. The New 
England Conference on Street Cleaning, 
by placing the subject prominently be- 
fore the public on the plane of dignified 
debate, promises to do much to remove 
the prejudices which have hitherto at- 
tached to it and facilitate a better under- 
standing of how New England cities 
can be kept clean. 

Turning our attention to the ad- 
ministrative side of the question, one 
of the first considerations should be the 
cost of the work. To properly clean 
streets and dispose of garbage costs 
something. Judged by the money ex- 
pended, scavenging work is expensive. 



Judged by the results, it is a good in- 
vestment when well conducted. 

These remarks would be superflous, 
were it not necessary to insist upon liberal 
appropriations for scavenging. By 
liberal, I do not mean extravagant. 
The same care should be used in devising 
and operating a system of street cleaning 
as is commonly employed in dealing 
with sewerage, in laying street pave- 
ments and in obtaining water supplies. 

Efficiency in operation is less in scaveng- 
ing than in most other sanitary under- 
takings, but with time it may be in- 
creased. A constant effort should be 
made to improve upon the methods em- 
ployed, to keep accurate accoimt of 
the ways in which the money is spent 
and to accomplish the results which 
the citizens expect. A system of scien- 
tific scavenging carried on according 
to this principle deserves adequate 
financial support and with proper man- 
agement, sufficient money can usually 
be obtained for it. 

In seeking appropriations, mistake 
is often made in asking help of politi- 
cians. Political influence is nowhere 
more pernicious than in the operations 
of a street-cleaning department. For 



♦Address delivered before the first New England Conference of Street Cleaning, Providence, R. I. 



J 72 



NEW BOSTON 



every favor conferred, a political boss 
requires a suitable return, the result 
being that many street-cleaning depart- 
ments are today overburdened with men 
who cannot get a living except by pension. 

Occupants of prisons and poor houses 
should not be put to work to clean 
streets. The work is demoralizing to 
them and, what is more im])ortant, 
they are demoralizing to the work. The 
man should be young, strong and capable 
not only of doing a fair day's work, 
but of taking a personal interest and 
pride in it. There is no reason why a 
sweeper should not take as much pride 
in the cleanness of the pavement assigned 
him as a good sailor takes in the order 
of his ship. There is nothing disgrace- 
ful about scavenging except the inef- 
ficient manner in which it is sometimes 
done. 

It is natural and proper that the 
scavenging authority should seek strong 
indorsement for his work. The most 
useful and reliable indorsement is the 
approval of the commercial interests 
expressed through the business men's 
associations which exist in most cities 
and towns. The scavenging authority 
who holds himself responsible to the 
conservative, yet progressive, business 
men of the place and seeks to produce 
results which will meet their approval 
will have a strong and wholesome ally 
in any effort which may be necessary to 
obtain sufficient appropriations for the 
work of collecting and disposing of the 
municipal wastes. 

Passing now to the technical side of 
street cleaning, we may consider very 
l)riefly a few of the central objects to 
be kept in mind. The chief business of 
a street-cleaning authority should be to 
keep clean places clean, not to clean 
dirty places. This maxim, originated 
by Colonel Waring, holds true for city 
streets and is a good policy to adopt in 
many other directions. Some dirty 
places will have to be cleaned, but 
neither the public scavengers nor the 
householders should permit refuse to 
litter streets or yards. The custom of 
allowing the back yards of houses to 
become veritable junk piles and ash 
heaps, while the fronts are maintained 
in a condition of immaculate order, 
is as unnecessary as it is unsanitary. 



To keep a city clean it Is essential 
that the scavenger should receive ade- 
quate co-operation from the public. 
No man nor body of men can maintain 
clean streets if the public does not wish 
them to be clean and is not willing to 
help keep them so. Some little trouble 
and expense may be conceived to attach 
to the duties which should be attended 
to by the public to help the scavengers, 
but this will be performed if the scavenger 
does his part. 

The householder can best co-operate 
by complying with the rules and regu- 
lations established by the scavenging 
authority for the placing of refuse in 
proper receptacles, and the location 
of these receptacles in suitable and con- 
venient places for removal. People 
must not throw papers and other refuse 
into the streets. The scavenger should 
keep faith with the public by collecting 
the refuse according to an announced 
schedule. The receptacles should be 
handled with due regard to their de- 
structibility and with proper respect to 
the convenience of the householder. 

Whenever possible, the same authority 
should collect the wastes which is re- 
quired to dispose of them. Proper dis- 
position can only be made of wastes 
which are of the composition for which 
provision has been made at the dis- 
posal place. The persons who do the 
collecting are alone able to see that the 
proper composition is maintained. 
Proper composition here refers to the 
three classes of ingredients into which 
household refuse is often divided. First, 
kitchen refuse; second, ashes, glass and 
metals, and third readily inflammable 
matters such as paper, wood and cloth. 
Sometimes the three are collected and 
disposed of in mixed condition, sometimes 
separately. Whatever system is adopted, 
it is important that that system should 
be adhered to by every householder. 
Choice of a system depends chiefly upon 
the method of final disposal best suited 
to the city or town. 

Books have been written on methods 
of disposing of wastes. Some methods 
are better than others, and none is 
best for all places. The one most suitable 
to a given situation must be judiciously 
selected in view of local circumstances 
and must be carefully adjusted to local 



Modern methods of street cleaning 



173 



needs. The number of collections per 
week should be determined early, and 
public notice should be fi;iven to house- 
holders to this effect. The regulations 
of the scavenging authority should be 
scrupulously adhered to by him if he 
expects equal compliance on the part 
of the householders. 

As to the apparatus to be employed 
for collection, many details need to be 
considered when devising a system of 
scavenging which do not recj[uire to be 
discussed here, such as the proper size, 
form and material for the collecting 
carts, brooms, shovels and other ap- 
paratus. The familiar rotary sweeper, 
known as the horse broom, is a standard 
apparatus, and is widely used in Europe 
and America, especially where there is 
much surface to be cleaned and the sur- 
face of the pavement is irregular. It 
should always be preceded by sprinkling 
carts and followed by men with hand 
brooms to sweep the throw of the rotary 
brooms into piles. These piles must be 
shoveled into carts and carried away as 
soon as possible, or the material which 
has been collected will soon become 
scattered again. 

The so-called patrol system, by which 
men with an equipment of shovel and 
broom, mounted on some form of hand 
cart, patrol the streets to collect small 
masses of coarse refuse before it is broken 
up and scattered about is another pro- 
cedure which may be termed standard. 

Street flushing with water, with and 
without the aid of foot laborers provided 
with brooms, or rubber squeegees, is a 
method of cleaning pavements which 
has claimed a large amount of attention 
in recent years. There is much to be 
said in favor of the cleanness possible 
with flushing, but good results without 
an extravagant waste of water, not to 
mention possible injury to pavements 
and sewers, are not so readily obtained 
as a casual observer might suppose. This 
kind of work calls for careful and in- 
telligent labor, especially where the 
pavements are not good and smooth. 

In America, as in Europe, inventors 
have devised machines to take the place 
of hand labor in cleaning streets and it 
would seem tliat there was a good field 
for the exercise of ingenuity in this 
direction. Machines successfully sweep 



and water and squeegee pavements, and 
there are flushing machines and dust- 
collecting machines which are receiving 
strong endorsement. We should seek 
to employ all truly economical apparatus 
whenever the amount of work is suf- 
ficiently great to warrant the cost of 
it, but the merits of mechanical appli- 
ances should not blind us to the limi- 
tations which all machines possess. No 
machine can wholly take the place of 
intelligent hand labor. So far as my 
observation goes, the efficiency of any 
mechanical street-cleaning apparatus 
depends largely upon the care and skill 
with which it is used. 

The subject of machinery suggests 
the use of motors, and here, too, there 
is a promising field for inventors. Several 
European cities use motors for propelling 
the carts necessary to remove household 
and street refuse, and street-washing 
machines have been propelled in this 
way. According to my best informa- 
tion, the economy of motors over horses 
lies chiefly in running them long hours, 
as day and night, for example. 

It is regrettable to say that a standard 
cart for street cleaning has not yet been 
agreed upon. Nothing more certainly 
shows the incompleteness with which 
the apparatus used in scavenging has 
been developed than this. Most carts 
are too high, too small and too heavy. 
The ideal cart is of metal, low-bodied, 
water-tight, covered, easy-running and 
light. The best European designs are 
far ahead of American practice in respect 
to carts. 

There are a number of ways to dispose 
of garbage and other household refuse 
after it is collected, all of which may be 
followed in a sanitary and satisfactory 
manner with proper attention to details. 

Dumping of mixed refuse upon low- 
lying land is usually considered an un- 
sanitary proceeding, but if the dumps 
are well chosen, the material leveled as 
rapidly as it is dumped and promptly 
covered with soil, there is little sanitary 
objection to it. To minimize the chance 
that foul odors will be produced, the 
amount of kitchen refuse should be small. 

The kitchen refuse may be dug into 
the ground. In this case it is de- 
sirable for reasons of economy that the 
putrescible elements should be put in 



1'5'4 



NEW BOSTON 



a separate receptacle at the household 
and collected inde])en(lently from the 
rest. The }nitrescil)le material may 
then be dumped upon a field and ])l()\ved 
under. This method takes a large amount 
of land, but is sanitary and not unduly 
expensive where suitable ground can be 
obtained. 

Kitchen waste, variously termed swill 
or garbage can be utilized by feeding 
it to hogs. This method is very com- 
monly eni])loyed by jirofessional scav- 
engers. It can be carried on in a sanitary 
manner and, although ol)jections may 
be raised against it, these can be largely 
overcome. 

Kitchen refuse can be turned into com- 
post. Composting is conunonly prac- 
ticed in European cities. Every farmer 
composts stable refuse when he makes 
manure. It is essentially a rotting pro- 
cess. The garbage to be composted is 
piled in heaps aliout three feet high, 
from six to ten feet wide and about thirty 
feet long. It is thoroughly wetted and 
allowed time to rot. Eventually the 
piles are opened up and the material 
employed as fertilizer. Garbage com- 
posts should be located as far as prac- 
ticable from houses and highroads. 

Household refuse can be burned in 
garbage destructors, sometimes called 
incinerators. Several types of apparatus 
of this kind are on the market. In- 
cineration is especially suitable for small 
towns and villages. When not too wet 
from rain, household refuse possesses 
calorific power enough to consume itself 
in properly constructed furnaces. In 
some cases the power can be utilized 
through the use of steam boilers and the 
generation of electric current. 



A procedure peculiarly American and 
suitable chiefly for large cities is that 
process of cooking and pressing called 
reduction. The garbage, kept separate 
from other ingredients of household 
waste, is put into large cylinders with 
water and heated, after which the grease 
is extracted. The grease is utilized, and 
the residue, called tankage, is employed 
as a basis for fertilizer. 

In none of the foregoing methods of 
finally disposing of household refuse is 
there any prospect of profit. Methods 
of disposal which promise a return are 
generally misleading and foredoomed. 
The object to be kept constantly in 
mind in this connection is to have the 
material disposed of promptly, thor- 
oughly, finally and with as little offense 
as possible. The question of economy or 
return from the utilization of municipal 
wastes should be a secondary considera- 
tion. At the present stage of sanitary 
science, it is generally imjiracticable to 
secure a substantial return from the 
disposal of municipal wastes. 

Question often arises as to whether 
refuse can best be collected and disposed 
of by contract or by municipal effort. 
There are many advantages in each plan 
and each has certain disadvantages. 
Where the municipal work can be con- 
ducted on a plane of economy and ef- 
ficiency, it is likely to be done in a more 
satisfactory manner, especially if the 
city is large and marked improvement 
over previously existing conditions is 
desired. On the other hand, when the 
work is in the hands of contractors, the 
city knows just what the undertaking 
will cost and can lay down the condi- 
tions which the contractor must follow. 



WASHINGTON'S CELEBRATION 



Washington claims the credit of l)eing 
the first nnniicii)ality to at once enforce 
the absolute prohibition of the private 
sale and use of fireworks and provide 
an adequate public substitute in the 
celebration of the Fourth of July. Other 
cities cared for the restriction of the 



private sale and use of fireworks, and a 
larger number provided municipal cele- 
brations, but the combination of pro- 
hibition and program, making the real 
"safe and sane" Fourth of July, was 
first carried out, Washington claims, 
at the national capital in 1909. 



WASHINGTON'S CELEBRATION 



175 



Henry B. F. Macfarland, tlien and 
for ten years, from 1900 to 11)10, president 
of the Commissioners of the District 
of Cohimbia, its executive government, 
took the leadership in the matter. He 
began by obtaining from the com- 
missioners before the Fourth of July, 
1908, provision for the restriction of 
private fireworks to the safer kinds and 
also for "zones of quiet" around the 
hospitals; and from the civic organiza- 
tions, a public celebration which at once 
marked the opening of the new District 
Government Building and the anni- 
versary of the signing of the Declaration 
of Independence. The disasters were 
reduced, but at the close of that day's 
celebration there were one hundred and 
four victims of Fourth of July accidents 
in the hospitals of the city, besides those 
who were treated in their homes, and 
the many nervous and sick people who 
were injured by the noise of the preced- 
ing night and of the day. Besides these 
cases there was the usual number of 
fires and consequent loss of property 
and the regular number of Fourth of 
July arrests. Mr. Macfarland therefore 
proposed to his associate commissioners 
that the "safe and sane" idea should be 
applied fully to the celebration of the 
next Independence Day, and his formal 
motion to that effect was adopted by the 
commission in November, 1908, in order 
to give notice to the fireworks manu- 
facturers and dealers whose opposition 
was expected. 

Not only did that opposition come, but 
there was much criticism and opposition 
from those who did not understand the 
new idea and who wanted to perpetuate 
the "good old-fashioned" method of 
celebrating the Fourth of July, regard- 
less of the accidents that might follow. 
But the commissioners stood by their 
order. Mr. Macfarland stated that it 
was necessary to provide an adequate 
substitute celebration of a public char- 
acter for the former private celebra- 
tion of the day, and asked the Board of 
Trade and the Chamber of Commerce 
to appoint committees to organize such 
a celebration vmder the auspices of the 
commissioners. A joint committee was 
formed with ISIr. Macfarland as chair- 
man. This committee appealed to the 



public for contributions, asking for small 
amounts, especially for the equivalent 
of what would otherwise have been 
spent in private celebrations, and named 
$2,500 as the amount required for the 
simple program proposed. In all, 
twenty-eight hundred dollars was sub- 
scribed for this general fund and half 
as much more was expended l)y suburban 
committees in different sections of the 
District of Columbia outside of Washing- 
ton. The commissioners and the Central 
committee encouraged in every way 
possible these suburban celebrations by 
way of distributing the interest. 

The Fourth of July, 1909, fortunately 
was a very perfect day in point of weather, 
cool, clear, breezy and dry. The citizens 
absolutely obeyed the law as to the sale 
and use of fireworks. There was no 
noise of fireworks the night before and 
none during the day, excepting from the 
public displays. There were no arrests 
due to the celebration, excepting that 
of an Italian who could not understand 
English and fired off a pistol in ignorance. 
There were no Fourth of July fires, ex- 
cepting one in the suburbs where a fire 
balloon used in the celebration fell on 
a shingled roof and caused a little damage. 
There was not one case in any of the 
hospitals or reported by any of the 
physicians as due to any Fourth of July 
accident. The newspapers agreed that 
the day had never before been so generally 
observed and thoroughly enjoyed, and 
remarked upon the fact that it was a 
family day. 

The commissioners at once announced 
that the success of the celebration which 
had practically silenced criticism, con- 
firmed them in their determination and 
that there would be no return to the old- 
fashioned barbarous method. 

This year the weather on the Fourth 
of July was not so favorable, being much 
warmer and a thunder storm in mid-after- 
noon interfering with the athletic sports 
which had been added to the program; 
while at night race friction due to the 
news from Reno, Nevada, produced 
fights compelling arrests chargeable, 
however, to the desecration of the 
nation's birthday by the prize fight. 
But otherwise the celebration was as 
successful as that of the year before. 



176 



NEW BOSTON 



The day opened at nine o'clock with 
the ceremonies of unveiHng the tablet 
on the house of Commodore Decatur, 
in Lafayette Square, followed by a fine 
concert and display of fireworks at 
7th and Pennsylvania avenue. Then 
came the pul)lic meeting in front of the 
district government building, when 
Hannis Taylor of Alabama, minister 
to Spain under Cleveland, and author 
of the History of the English Constitu- 
tion, speaking as a southern man, paid 
a remarkable tribute to Abraham Lincoln 
as the last of the five master builders of 
the nation; the "liberator of the slave- 
holders as well as the slave," who gave 
new life to the South and the North. 

Band concerts and athletic sports were 
the program for the afternoon until 
five-thirty, when another tablet was 
unveiled on the old Capitol building, 
occupied by Congress after the British 
burned the Capitol in 1814 until that 
structure was rebuilt. The unveiling 
of these bronze tablets aroused much 
interest because they are the first of a 
series which Congress has authorized, 
that will ultimately mark all the im- 
portant historic sites in Washington. 

At night the display of fireworks was 
made in the park south of the White 
House, and afterwards Pennsylvania 
avenue and the district government 
building were illuminated. The general 
display of flags was made as on former 
independence days, and the suburban 
celebrations were equal to those of last 
year. Outside of the results of the Reno 
prize fight there were no unusual arrests 
and there were no casualties from fire- 
works. The success of the second cele- 
bration placed the new custom beyond 
the possibility of change. 



To Set You Thinking 



Charles H.Perry 

ADVERTISING 

SYSTEM 

4a Irvington Street h""*'-**"" 

C3 Avenue 



Telephone 

1504 Back Bay 



Boston, Mass. 



Two years ago, the first large-scale 
dairy cattle publicity campaign in ad- 
vertising history was launched. Its 
purpose was, first, to get cattle-breeders 
and dairymen to recognize the all-around 
superiority of a certain breed of cattle 
and to stock up accordingly, and, second- 
ly, to stimulate a public desire for the 
products of this breed. This unique 
publicity campaign was remarkably suc- 
cessful from the start. 

Again, in "Printers' Ink" for April 27th 
can be found three articles most pertinent 
to this discussion. Article One describes 
a plan for booming Dallas, Texas. 
Ten thousand dollars spent there, the 
article states, brought in one year over 
300,000 inquiries, directly attracted 
several good-sized manufacturing plants 
into Dallas, and resulted in the sale of 
over $2,000,000 worth of farm lands 
within twenty-five miles of Dallas. 
Article Two shows how the right kind 
of advertising secured many settlers 
for large areas of unoccupied lands in 
Minnesota, while the last article out- 
lines the advertising scheme of the Cunard 
Line for inducing Americans to make 
London their port of entry rather than 
the port of departure. 

The above examples of novel, latter- 
day advertising point to facts. Wide- 
awake, progressive men, who have ab- 
solute faith in the tremendous drawing 
power of publicity, can perform and are 
performing daily advertising miracles. 
Such men will undertake a difficult, 
intangible, even dreamer's proposition 
like the booming of Dallas, or better still 
the booming of a country, like Canada, 
and make a decided go of it. Then, how 
about you men, who are producing 
practical, every-day articles like shoes, 
or calico, or soap or clothespins? Why 
should you hesitate to advertise? There 
is no doubt of a market wide open to 
quality goods, provided they are properly 
labelled and trade-marked, and pro- 
videtl the name of the manufacturer and 
his products are kept in the public eye. 
Think it over. 

A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



Ll/^IV Y /^IVXV UVyO A Vyi>J r-\.LL,L\.Ky L\11L<L^ L , ^1L<L 1 . 0~L0 



SEP 8 1910 




NEW BOSTON 




A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IM 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY BOSTON 1915 INC- 6 BEACON ST- 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS- U-S-A- 



SEPTEMBER, 1910 

VOL. I. 

TEN CENTS A COPY 



NO. 5 
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR. 



Aviator Stars 

Who Will Be On the Field aiul 
Try to Break W'orld's Records: 

CURTISS 

WRIGHT 

WILLARD 

BROOKINS 

JOHNSTONE 

ROE 

Grahame-White 

HARMON 

HILLIARD 

MASSON 

DIXON 
And Others 




■TO ^C^Z7jQJ^TUJ^ -^ EHTR/VMCli. TO T'lEXD 



The Most Important Ever Held in America 

or Europe 



HARVARD-BOSTOIV 

AERO MEET 



(Auspices of Har.vard Aeronautical Society) 

Harvard Aviation Field 

ATLANTIC, MASS. 

SEPTEMBER 3d to 13th 



Contests for Speed, Altitude, Duration, Distance, Accuracy, Slowest Lap and (ietaway. 

Boston Globe $10,000 Prize for best time to Boston Lii>'ht and Return by way of 
Soldiers Field. 

$50,000 in Cash Prizes. Valuable trophies for amateurs. 

All contests open to all (pudified and licensed aviators and balloon pilots in the world. 

Admission $1.00; Grand Stand Seats 50c.; Automobile Stand $5.00 per day. 

HEADQUARTERS, 3d Floor, 164 Washington St. 



In answeriiii; advorliseniciUs please iiientidii XJ'.\\' 1'.<*SI'().\ 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



SEPTEMBER, 1910 



No. 5 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 177 

THE MILK SITUATION 177 

PREVENTING BLINDNESS AMONG BABIES 178 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TRACK MEETS 178 

BIRD-MEN AT PLAY 179 

NEW BOSTON FOR OCTOBER 179 

ROBERT TREAT PAINE William P. Fowler 180 

THE INTERNATIONAL PRISON CONGRESS O. F. Lewis 181 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 183 

THE BOSTON-1915 BOYS' GAMES 185 

THE HARVARD-BOSTON AVIATION MEET 190 

SAVING EYESIGHT Henry C. Greene 193 

CONGESTION AND MORTALITY RATES L. M. Bristol 201 

MILWAUKEE'S AUDITORIUM BUILDING Joseph Grieb 210 

THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS' PROGRESS IN SOCIAL REFORM Alexander Johnson 216 

SUGGESTIONS REGARDING BOSTON'S HEALTH NEEDS 218 

PLANNING UNDEVELOPED CITY AREAS Nelson P. Lewis 220 

A TITLE AND AN OPPORTUNITY 221 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class mailer al the Boslon Posl Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

{Copyright, 1910, by Boslon— 1915, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 













40iy 



HOTEL PURITAN 

390 Commonwealth Avenue 

100 Yards West of Massachusetts Avenue Car Lines 

A DISTINCTIVE BOSTON HOUSE 

Opened last November with every modern resource for 
Transient and Permanent Guests 

D. P. COSTELLO, Manager 

Write for " The Slory of New England and the Puritans" 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the puhlic for a small admission. 

That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 

All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a " Moving Picture Show." 

PROGRAMME 



Motion Pictures at their Best 

The subjects carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
lOuropcan producers. 

Camera Chats 

l{y a trained reader, on interesting i)hases 
of life at home and abroad. 

Stereopticon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



One-Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

Music 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



545 Washington Street 
IJoston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

JOSEPHINE CLEMENT 

BIJOU THEATRE ^'"™«" 



In answering advertisements please mention Nn.V BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



SEPTEMBER, 1910 



No. 5 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



Back to Work 

Along with every one else in Boston, 
most of the 1915 committees and con- 
ferences have been vacationing. The 
summer's activities have centered first on 
the Saner Fourth and then on the Boys' 
Games. The two committees having this 
work in charge are the only ones that 
were active during the hot months. With 
the passing of Labor Day, however, the 
plans for the fall will be taken up in 
earnest. On September 12 there will be a 
meeting of the Executive Committee of 
Boston-1915, and on the 19th the direc- 
tors will meet. 

The Milk Situation 

The recent hearings before the Inter- 
state Commerce Commission with the at- 
tendant publicity in the daily press, 
prove that the problem of the city's 
milk supply is still far from settled and, 
moreover, serve to emphasize the futility 
of expecting legislation to solve an eco- 
nomic question. 

The Saunders Bill, which became an 
act in the last session of the Legislature, 
provides for a flat transportation charge 
and places the shipper of one can of milk 
on the same footing as the contractor who 
is receiving a carload. Buttressed by the 
shippers' right of appeal to the Railroad 
Commission in cases of apparent discrimi- 
nation, this bill was expected to solve the 
situation for both the independent pro- 
ducers and those selling to the contractor, 
but in practice it has not been so fortu- 
nate. For it has all resulted in a freight 
tariff that producers and contractors alike 
claim has increased the cost of shipment 
two cents a can. The fact that the trans- 



portation companies promise a lower rate 
as soon as the traffic will bear it, furnishes 
no immediate tangible relief. The retail- 
ers are a unit in refusing to bear this 
extra burden and apparently the load has 
again been thrown on the shoulders of the 
producers. 

Naturally the public sympathizes with 
the producer. From the well groomed 
horses of the delivery wagons to the pri- 
vate offices of the transportation com- 
panies there is no evidence of a serious 
lack of ready money. When a prosperous 
State Street farmer thoughtfully rubs his 
chin and admits that his farm superin- 
tendent is selling milk for four cents a 
quart that costs him eight cents to pro- 
duce, the margin of profit for the real 
producers can he ap})reciated. Board of 
Health regulations and standards have 
practically eliminated the heavy milking 
breeds from the situation. Barn feeding 
has become almost a necessity to meet 
the tests imposed. 

There can be no question of the neces- 
sity of safeguarding the city's milk sup- 
ply. Yet the regidations and the rising 
price of grain have, accordiHg to testimony 
before the Cost of Living Commission, 
advanced the cost to the producer almost 
46 per cent in the last ten years. During 
the same period the price has advanced 
31 per cent. There is considerable effi- 
ciency both in production and distribu- 
tion and the margin of profit is not greater 
than in most common commodities. All 
this points to but one answer. Legislation 
like the Saunders Bill serves a pur])ose, 
but ultimately the consumer nnist pay tlie 
price of an improved ])roduct the economy 
of which is found in the safeguarding of 
the health of the coninnmity. 



178 



NEW BOSTON 



Preventing Blindness Among Babies 

In these days of "prevention rather 
than cure" no social work has more 
appealing interest than the campaign 
against infantile blindness. As an index 
of the almost criminal lack of simple pre- 
caution, take the results of an investiga- 
tion nuide by the Research Department 
of the Boston School for Social Workers, 
referred to by Mr. Greene in an article 
on another page of this magazine. After 
interviewing ninety-five physicians in five 
cities of ^Massachusetts it was found that 
in their combined practice involving 5,9-19 
births, seventeen per cent were protected 
from blindness by the regular use of 
proper prophylactic. Forty-one per cent 
of the babies were in charge of doctors 
who used preventive measures according 
to their own judgment and forty-two per 
cent were entirely unprotected from pos- 
sible blindness. The reporting law was 
also found to be poorly carried out, for 
108 cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were 
discovered by the investigators where 
only thirty-three cases were reported to 
local boards of health. This situation is 
pretty sure to be remedied since the act 
of the 1910 legislature went into eflFect 
last month providing that the State Board 
of Health shall furnish prophylactic free 
of cost to every registered physician in 
Massachusetts; but the work of educat- 
ing doctors and nurses to a proper regard 
for saving the eyesight of the new born 
can be carried on by every reader of this 
magazine. The remedy is absolutely sim- 
ple and the treatment is sure. The New 
York State Charities Aid Association has 
adopted this motto in its tuberculosis 
campaign, "No uncared for cases of tuber- 
culosis in 1915." A good slogan for Mas- 
sachusetts would be, "No babies need- 
lessly blind for life in 1915." 

The Significance of the Track Meets 

Boston has the distinction of being 
the only city in the country where or- 
ganized track athletics for boys are 
maintained during the sununer months. 
This year there were over l/iOO individual 
entries in the fifteen track and swinnning 
meets. As we go to jiress over five hun- 
dred boys are working to win prizes for 
themselves and honor for their play- 
grounds in the final Wood Island meet. 



According to reports from athletic in- 
structors -40,000 spectators witnessed 
the preliminary games and 10,000 more 
are expected for the finals. 

Stop for a minute to think of the 
worth of these games that have drawn 
over a thousand boys of Boston into 
wholesome well-directed sport. At a 
meeting in the interest of the boy scout 
movement held last month Bishop i\Ial- 
lalieu warned American boyhood against 
the danger of becoming too interested 
in sport as mere spectators. He depre- 
cated the fact (a bold statement in 
Boston) that 30,000 baseball enthusi- 
asts spent an afternoon of that week on 
the bleachers when they might have been 
"swinging across the hills in a country 
walk." There is danger in always being 
a looker-on and that danger has been at 
least partially met by this summer's 
games in which have entered l,'-200 boys 
and girls, young and old — seniors, jun- 
iors and intermediates, well known and 
and those without athletic name. Per- 
haps that spirit of "getting into the 
game" is one of the most important de- 
velopments of the 1915 meet. 

The expenses for medals, cups and inci- 
dentals will reach to about $700.00. 
Some $500.00 have been subscribed to 
meet this amount. Mitchell Freiman, 
10'-2'-2 Tremont Building, Boston, is Treas- 
urer of the Boys' Games Committee. 
Here is an opportunity to make an in- 
vestment in sound boyhood and girl- 
hood. 

Auditoriums as Civic Investments 

Three western cities — Milwaukee, St. 
Paul and Denver — have proved in truly 
western fashion that big auditorium build- 
ings pay, not only in dollars and cents 
but also as good civic investments. Mil- 
waukee secured its building through pri- 
vate subscription and city appropriation. 
St. Paul decided that an auditorium was 
needed and nine months after the initial 
meeting of those interested in the project, 
the necessary funds were raised by popu- 
lar subscription and the building was 
dedicated. Four hundred thousand dol- 
lars in auditorium bonds were voted at a 
special election held in Denver and a 
building with a seating capacity of 1^2,500 
was erected. Auditoriums of the charac- 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



179 



ter of those in Milwaukee, St. Paul or 
Denver so readily lend themselves to 
every requirement that dairy shows, 
grand operas, skat tournaments, flower 
shows, religious meetings and society balls 
can be comfortably housed. A manager 
of one of the largest buildings says that 
"it is such a prime necessity to our com- 
munity that I do not see how we man- 
aged to get along without it. It attracts 
new business to the city and assists mater- 
ially in developing our own resources and 
industries." 

Plans for an exhibit to be held in Boston 
this fall had to be abandoned because no 
suitable building could be secured. These 
other cities have found little difficulty in 
arousing interest and building commo- 
dious auditoriums that are regarded as 
paying investments from every stand- 
point. Why not Boston? 

Bird-Men at Play 

The Harvard-Boston Aero Meet will 
give residents of Boston and vicinity 
their first opportunity to see what man 
has accomplished toward conquering the 
air. It will be a long time before aero- 
planes become "common," and for a 
good many years there will be consider- 
able craning of necks when man-birds 
fly across the sky as they will at the 
Atlantic meet. A picture like that on 
our cover design is still more or less 
idealistic, but the wonderful progress 
made in the science of aviation gives 
daily reminders of what is ahead in air 
navigation. 

Last month at Atlantic City Brookins 
flew to an altitude of some 6,000 feet 
and soared to earth like an eagle. A 
few weeks later a Frenchman reached 
a height of 5,400 feet at Black Pool, 
England. On August 12, J. Armstrong 
Drexel rose to an altitude of a mile and 
a quarter. And yet it was only a couple 
of years ago that the world applauded 
Wilbur Wright when he guided his 
aeroplane in a record-breaking ascent 
of 1,500 feet. The Harvard-Boston 
Meet will mark one more step forward, 
and this city has a rare chance to see 
"air history" made at Atlantic. 



New Boston for October 

On another page of this number of 
New Boston appear some tentative 
suggestions on The Health Needs of 
the City prepared by the Health Con- 
ference of Boston-1915. In the October 
issue there will be published the first of a 
series of articles amplifying some of 
the suggestions made in the syllabus. 
The first article w411 be entitled Prompt 
Birth Returns, the Prime Need and 
Foundation for Public Health Work. 
The importance of the subject may be 
seen from Mr. Bristol's article on the 
Relation Between Mortality and Con- 
gestion in this number. Mrs. William 
Lowell Putnam of the Massachusetts 
Milk Consumers Association will con- 
tribute an illustrated article on the 
dangers of unclean milk and the necessity 
for proper inspection in Massachusetts, 
that will go beyond the local inspector 
and prevent the bringing of dirty milk 
into the state for sale and the produc- 
tion of such milk for sale within the 
state. Accompanying Mrs. Putnam's 
article we hope to have one or two ac- 
counts of how effective inspection is 
carried on in other localities. 

Developments in children's work both 
in Massachusetts and other states will be 
outlined by C. C. Carstens, secretary of 
the Massachusetts Society for the'Pre- 
vention of Cruelty to Children. The 
Civic Advance Campaign and the pageant 
"The Making of a Perfect City" to be 
conducted in November by Boston-1915 
will be described in detail. There w^ill 
be an article on the Peterborough 
Pageant held last month as a memorial 
to the late Edward A. Macdowell, which 
will give an idea of the possibilities that 
lie in the pageant idea. Other articles 
promised are on the St. Paul Auditorium 
and the outdoor play given last month 
by members of the Hawthorne Club at 
Nahant. The growing popularity of out- 
door plays is shown in the communica- 
tions we have received regarding the pro- 
duction of Beethoven's Prometheus at 
the Charlesbank Playground. There was 
an article|in last month's NEW BOSTON 
describing that production. 



180 



NEW BOSTON 



ROBERT TREAT PAINE 

WILLIAM P. FOWXER 

Robert Treat Paine, i>hilanthropi.st 
and peace advocate, died on August 11, 
at his home in Waltham. He was born 
in Boston in 1835 and was graduated 
from Harvard in 1855 in the class with 
Philhps Brooks and Alexander Agassiz. 
In 185!) he was admitted to the bar. After 
practicing for eleven years he retired and 
devoted himself entirely to philanthropic 
work. 

His connections with various forms 
of worthy charit- 
able endeavor in 
Boston were too 
numerous to dis- 
cuss here in detail. 
He was the founder 
of the Robert Treat 
Paine Association 
and was the chief 
factor in the organ- 
ization of the Wells 
Memorial Institute. 
He built and en- 
dowed the Peoples 
Institute in Rox- 
bury and was prom- 
inently connected 
with the W o r k - 
mens' Co-operative 
Bank, the Working- 
men's Building So- 
ciety, the Working- 
men's Loan Associ- 
ation, the Better 
Dwellings Society, 
the Boston Child- 
ren's Aid Society 
and the Indus- 
trial Aid Society. 
He served as presi- 
dent of the National Conference of 
Charities and Correction in 1895 and 
in 1904 he was elected president of the 
Massachusetts State Conference of 
Charities and Correction. 

For many years Mr. Paine was presi- 
dent of the American Peace Society, and 
in 1893 he presided over the World's 
Fair Peace Congress in Chicago. In 
1904 at the meeting of the Thirteenth 
International Peace Congress in Boston 
he was again j)residing officer. 

It seems impossible to name the Asso- 




ROBERT TREAT PAINE 

"Tlie ideal citizen of a free state" 



ciated Charities of Boston without think- 
ing of Mr. Paine as its presiding genius 
inspiration and personal conductor dur- 
ing nearly thirty years. He may well 
be called its founder, for to him more than 
to any one man was its establishment 
due. He was most active in all the meet- 
ings preliminary to its organization, 
helped frame its constitution and by- 
laws and enlisted many of his friends 
as original members. It is a wonderful 
story, how he was chosen to preside at 
the very birth of the society in those 
distant days of 1879, and how under 
his fostering care 
and largely by rea- 
son of his untiring 
efforts the infant 
society has grown 
through a s o m e - 
w hat precocious 
childhood to a vig- 
orous manhood. 
During all these 
years from 1879 to 
1907 there has been 
one strong hand at 
the helm, one voice 
directing every 
movement of the 
society, one mind 
always considering 
and solving its pro- 
blems. To him, as 
to no other, has 
the society always 
looked for advice 
and guidance, and 
to no one person 
of the many who 
have so nobly 
worked that the 
society might pros- 
per is its present 
measure of success due, as to Mr. Paine. 
An outsider can have but little idea 
of the enormous amount of time and 
painstaking work he devoted to this 
particular field of his charitable activity. 
Those who have been associated with 
him can testify to the self-sacrifice and 
earnest, helpful labor on his part that 
almost surpasses belief. The by-laws 
of the society make the president an 
<?.{• officio member of all the sub-com- 
mittees of the Board of Directors. To 
many a president this would have meant 



ROBERT TREAT PAINE 



181 



little; to Mr. Paine it meant an almost 
invariable attendance upon the meetings 
of each and every one of the dozen or so 
committees, and his wise word was al- 
ways ready for utterance, his time was 
always at the disposal of every committee 
for laborious investigation or for assist- 
ing in any way to solve the problem at 
hand. 

Again and again has he given his time 
and services to go before some com- 
mittee of the Legislature or to see the 
mayor or members of the Police Commis- 
sion in the endeavor to obtain legislative 
or executive action recommended by the 
Board of Directors. His splendid pres- 
ence and his elociuent, well-considered 
words always had great weight; and 
much of the best legislation along social 
and economic lines which has been put 
on our statute books during the last 
thirty years is due to his wise sugges- 
tion and energetic support. 

His associates on the board always 
highly appreciated their great good 
fortune in having him for a counsellor 
and friend. His innate and abounding 
courtesy, combined with his enthusiastic 
loyalty to the cause, and his honest 
desire to assist his less fortunate fellow- 
men, have been of tremendous help and 
encouragement to all who worked with 
him. While keeping closely in touch 
with every detail of the work of the 
general office and often in attendance 
upon the various district conference 
meetings, he at the same time acted as 
president of one of the largest local 
conferences. As the chief exponent of 
the organized charity idea he was fre- 
quently called upon for missionary work 
in neighboring and distant cities and 
always responded cheerfully with his 
personal presence and spoken words 
however great the distance and personal 
inconvenience. 

One dares not say to how many phil- 
anthropic and ' beneficent organizations 
Mr. Paine has belonged during these 
long years of Associated Charities work. 
Their number was great and in most 
or all of them he held the position of 
director or president, and necessarily 
and gladly gave them much of his time 
and attention. But however interested 
in these other societies he may have been, 
they never interfered with his continued 



zeal and enthusiasm for the principles 
and the actual work of organized charity. 
His facile mind and his power of concen- 
tration enabled him at will to turn from 
his engrossing church work to consider- 
ing the welfare of working men at the 
Wells Memorial, from his successful 
attempts to help solve the tenement 
house problem to dealing with actual 
relief at the Boston Provident x\sso- 
ciation, or to finding employment for 
those out of work at the Industrial Aid 
Society, and as readily to turn back 
again to the Associated Charities. 

He was the ideal citizen of a free state, 
without official title or power, yet in a 
hundred ways helping along his city 
and his fellow citizens to improved con- 
ditions and self-respecting existence. Al- 
ways ready to lift where he stands, he 
gave freely of his time, his best thought 
and his means to help bring in the 
Kingdom of God upon earth right in 
his own city of Boston. 



THE INTERNATIONAL 
PRISON CONGRESS 

O. F. LEWIS 

Corresponding Secretary Prison Association of New York 

When Charles Dickens came to the 
United States about the middle of the 
19th century, he said that he wished 
to see particularly two things, — Niagara 
Falls and the "American Bastile." The 
latter prison, nicknamed the "American 
Bastile," was the Eastern Penitentiary 
of Pennsylvania, located at Philadelphia. 
Here, according to Dickens' account, 
he found men each separately confined 
in a cell, from which the prisoner could 
leave only to go into a little yard about 
as large as his cell and directly behind 
his cell. When exercising here, he found 
the walls so high that he could not see 
over them, nor could he see any human 
being at any time, except occasionally 
a jail official or a chaplain. Thus for 
years men were imprisoned without 
seeing each other, working each in his 
own cell and buried from the world. 

A great change has come about in 
American systems of dealing with 
prisoners. How great this change is 
will be plain to the hundred or more 



182 



NEW BOSTON 



foreign delegates who, in company with 
an equal number of noted Americans, 
will make a tour, from September 19 
to 28, of the eastern and central section 
of the United States. On September 19, 
a special train of ten Pullmans, equipped 
with all modern conveniences, will leave 
the Erie station at Jersey City. All the 
foreign guests will be guests of the 
United States government. Each Ameri- 
can will meet his own expenses. 

The tour will be almost without pre- 
cedent in its extent and in its impor- 
tance. The following institutions will 
be visited: Elmira Reformatory, 
George Junior Republic, Auburn State 
prison, Mansfield (Ohio) Reformatory, 
Michigan City (Indiana) Prison; various 
correctional institutions in and about 
Chicago; various institutions in and 
about Indianapolis, Jeffersonville Re- 
formatory and Washington (D. C), 
correctional institutions. 

At the very start, the foreign guests 
will visit Elmira Reformatory. Here 
they will find an administration and a 
system the very opposite of the old 
separate confinement system. They will 
see some 1,300 young men living in 
separate cells at night, but working 
together in the day time, drilling under 
the most approved military system, 
building up their physical condition 
with the latest methods of gymnasium 
work, being instructed in some thirty 
trades in well equipped trade schools, 
studying in many dift'erent educational 
classes, and (most important of all) 
earning their own release by their own 
conduct, their own industry, and their 
own scholarship. 

How far we are today from the old 
plan of burying a prisoner behind prison 
walls for a certain fixed time, generally 
a period of years! Today, the young 
offender, however serious his crime (if 
it be not murder), is apt to be sentenced 
to a reformatory, where, as stated above, 
through his own efforts he may earn his 
parole on an indeterminate sentence. 
At Elmira Reformatory, for instance, 
most of the young men gain their con- 



ditional release in about fourteen months. 
Then for six months they are on parole. 
They serve this six months of their 
sentence outside of prison walls and are 
their own masters, except that they 
must report once a month to their parole 
officers in the locality in which they live. 

This difference between the old and 
the new is but typical of the general 
change of opinion regarding crime. The 
last fifteen years have brought to the 
w^estern world the conviction that crime 
is not always caused by moral depravity. 
The conditions under which a boy grows 
up, the predisposition which he inherits 
to certain tendencies, and the lack of 
means of education and of inculcating 
morality, all act on the boy, particu- 
larly on a city boy, to make him an 
offender and later a criminal. 

Under these circumstances, the modern 
tendency has been to prevent crime by 
bettering the conditions under which 
children grow up and to prevent the 
recurrence of crime by seeking in every 
possible way to restore discharged 
prisoners to society and to work, be- 
cause it is seen that work is the best 
antidote for crime. 

These and a hundred other questions 
will be discussed by the International 
Prison Congress. The Congress begins 
on Sunday, October 2, with a reception 
at the White House, at Washington, 
at which the attorney-general and prob- 
ably President Taft will give addresses. 
Each morning a section meeting will be 
held, and each afternoon a general meet- 
ing, probably at the Smithsonian In- 
stitute. In the evening there will be 
general meetings, and banquets, and 
excursions. At least 1,000 persons from 
all parts of the United States will attend 
this great Congress to study crime. 

The president of the Congress is Prof. 
Charles R. Henderson, of the Univer- 
sity of Chicago. The secretary is Dr, 
Guillaume of the State Bureau of Statis- 
tics [in Switzerland. The business 
manager of the Congress is Frederick 
H. Mills, 97 Warren street, New York 
city. 



A CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 



A year ago Boston-1915 was making 
its plans for the exposition held last 
November in the old Art Museum. This 
demonstrated effectively the aims and 
ideals of the movement and secured from 
thousands of individuals personal in- 
terest and participation in the work. 
Since then there has gone steadily for- 
ward the enrollment of accredited dele- 
gates from all kinds of organizations 
and agencies concerned in the city's 
well-being. In addition to these or- 
ganization members nearly five thousand 
individuals have contributed each a 
dollar or more toward financing this 
movement. 

At the annual meeting of these con- 
tributing members or shareholders held 
last spring ten directors were chosen 
to represent them in the councils of this 
movement, as follows: Urban — George 
B. Gallup, Judge Frank Leveroni, Solo- 
mon Lewenberg, James F. Mulroy, Miss 
Anna'F. Wellington. Suburban — Oliver 
M. Fisher, J.viMott Hallowell, Prof. 
William B. Munro, Delcevare King, 
Clarence A. Warren. The following 
gentlemen were appointed as an Execu- 
tive Committee to act upon any matters 
in which this large body of members 
were concerned: Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, 
of Brookline; A. A. Ballantine, of Cam- 
bridge; Mitchell Frieman, of Boston; 
R. M. Hull, of Quincy, and J. R. Simp- 
son, of Newton. William A. Leahy 
representing Mayor Fitzgerald was added 
to the group. Later this committee laid 
before the Directors of Boston-1915 a 
plan for increasing the number and in- 
telligent interest of such shareholders in 
Boston and in the outlying Metropolitan 
District. 

For many months the activities of 
Boston-1915 have followed constructive 
but inconspicuous lines; and it seemed 
proper that the movement should again 
seek, as last year by the exposition, to 
bring its aims and activities before the 
general public and make an earnest 
and comprehensive endeavor to enlarge 
its constituency and thereby increase 



its power for usefulness. After careful 
consideration of the matter the Execu- 
tive Committee and later the full Board 
of Directors approved the plan and de- 
cided upon the dates November 10 to 
21 next as the proper time for carrying 
it into effect. In brief, it was proposed to 
enter upon a campaign of education and 
arousement centering in the holding of 
simultaneous meetings during a single 
week with the help of the best obtainable 
speakers, in locations chosen to cover 
all of Boston and the Metropolitan 
District. The distinct aim of these 
meetings should be to make clear in the 
minds of the largest obtainable number 
of listeners the needs and opportunities 
for practical co-operation in improving 
living conditions and helping all phases 
of civic improvement in Greater Boston. 
To describe such aims the phrase "Civic 
Advance Campaign" was chosen as de- 
fining most clearly and inclusively what 
was sought. 

As has been stated, the ultimate]|end 
in view is an increase in| the number 
of those who shall intelligently and 
heartily help the various lines of ac- 
tivity opening before Boston-1915 in 
the future. Every wise and available 
method for awakening interest and se- 
curing the desired response is being 
sought and considered. To get the ears 
of the largest number of listeners and to 
reward their thoughtful attention by 
the strongest addresses from the ablest 
speakers is the immediate problem. In 
order to succeed in this it will be neces- 
sary to make a careful study of the var- 
ious sections of Boston proper and of 
some thirty towns and cities in the 
Metropolitan District; to determine where 
speaking stations should be located; to 
find and secure suitable halls to which 
all classes of citizens will freely come as 
at political rallies; to find in each lo- 
cality friends and helpers of Boston-1915 
who will share the responsibility for pre- 
liminary arrangements and at the ap- 
pointed time do their utmost to make each 
local gathering a complete success. 



184 



NEW BOSTON 



In order to secure the lar<'est results 
from the twelve flays of this campaign 
it is proposed to have central meetings 
in some of the largest auditoriums of 
Boston, with assistance from the best 
known leaders in civic betterment from 
all parts of the land. Recognizing the 
deep interest of all ecclesiastical bodies 
in the application of vital religion to the 
problems of good living and good citizen- 
shij) it is proposed to ask every church 
to utilize in its own field and as it may see 
fit, the two Sundays of the campaign 
for instruction and inspiration for good 
citizenship. 

In addition to meetings held directly 
under the auspices of Boston-1915 it is 
also desired to take advantage of other 
gatherings during this period which may 
swell the volume of i)opular attention to 
the general subject of civic advance. 
In this connection plans are being con- 
sidered for calling a conference of the 
mayors and city officials from New Eng- 
land cities to consider various problems 
in the practical administration of the 
city. Such a conference has lately been 
held in Schenectady, New York, at- 
tended by mayors from over forty New 
York cities, proving to be a great suc- 
cess. This project has the approval 
of Mayor Fitzgerald and the assurance 
of co-operation from the various de- 
partments of the Boston city govern- 
ment. Letters have been sent to all 
New England mayors inquiring whether 
they would be interested in such a con- 
ference and would accept an invitation 
to participate in it; and the replies now 
coming in indicate a favorable reception 
of the plan. In connection with such 
a conference it was at first proposed to 
have a civic parade with representation 
from the various dej^artments of the 
city. After consideration by the heads 
of city departments this plan has been 
deemed inexpedient; and if the conference 
of New England mayors is held there 
will be in its place some systematic and 
comprehensive method of inspection of 
the various activities of Boston de- 
partments by visiting guests. Early in 
the summer Alayor Gaynor of New York, 
was asked to assist in the Civic Advance 
Campaign by an address. He mani- 
fested much interest in the plan and gave 
encouragement that he would take part 



in it, and at the date of this writing it is 
hoped that his recovery from the effects 
of his attempted assasination may per- 
mit him to be present and make the 
closing address at the conference of 
mayors. In addition to this gathering 
it is expected that the New England 
Commercial Club, an organization of 
secretaries from the various boards of 
trade of New England will hold a meet- 
ing in Boston. The National Vocational 
Bureau is to hold its annual session in 
Boston during the week of these simul- 
taneous meetings and it is hoped that 
during the same week the Society for 
the Promotion of Industrial Education 
will also meet in this city. While these 
meetings will be independent of Boston- 
1915 in their management, it is felt that 
their effect upon the community will 
tend to deepen the impression made by 
the concurrent activities under the direct 
control of the Civic Advance Campaign, 

One of the most prominent features of 
the campaign, and one upon which the 
most progress has been made, is the 
dramatic pageant, "The Making of a 
Perfect City." It was originally planned 
as a means of interesting the youth of 
Greater Boston in the task of city- 
building by enlisting their personal effort 
in a vivid representation of those pro- 
cesses. It will seek assistance from 
representatives of the high schools of the 
Metropolitan District and other young 
people of similar age; and it is also 
intended to draw participants from all 
classes and ages in order to completely 
represent the entire community. 

It is expected to hold this event in 
the new Boston Arena, which is specially 
adapted for such a display, having a floor 
area where fifteen hundred performers 
can easily take part in clear view of four 
thousand spectators. It is designed to 
give three evening performances of this 
pageant November 10, 11 and Vl, and 
two matinees at which selected delegates 
from the schools of Boston and the 
Metropolitan District will be admitted 
without charge. In view of the interest 
shown in the giving of historical pageants 
in Massachusetts during the ])resent 
season, it is believed that this attempt 
next November in Boston will call forth 
nuich enthusiasm from a large local con- 
stituency, that it will add an impetus to 



THE BOSTON-1915 BOYS' GAMES 



185 



the furtlier production of local pageants, 
and that it will i)rove of high educational 
value to performers and spectators by 
impressing upon them what is involved 
in the development of the modern city 
out of the social forms of earlier days. 
Miss Lotta A. Clark, whose interest and 
ability in the production of pageants is 
well known in this city, has been secured 
as the director, and John W. DeBruyn, 
who was in charge of the arrangements 
for the Boston celebration of the last 
Fourth of July, will be the business 
manager. 

In the preliminary organization for 
this production the following committees 
have already been appointed: 

Organization Committee — Edwin D. 



Mead, Dr. Colin A. Scott, F. Chouteau 
Brown, Mabel Hill, Fannie Fern An- 
drews, Dr. David D. Scannell, Allen 
Lowe, Will C. Eddy, Vesper L. George. 

Advisory Committee — William Orr, 
James O. Lyford, Rev. Thomas I. 
Gasson, S. J., Mrs. Barrett Wendell, 
Mrs. Mary F. Chapman, Walter Gilman 
Page, James B. Noyes, Solomon Le wen- 
berg, Ralph Da vol. 

After the submission of the proposed 
plan to the directors at their coming 
meeting it will be possible in the next 
number of the NEW BOSTON to give 
fuller details of this campaign, upon 
which the energies of Boston-1915 and 
its friends may w^ell be concentrated 
during the next months. 



THE BOSTON-1915 BOYS' GAMES 



Last year there Wood Island meet 

was a total regis- ^-^^^a''^^ means a great deal 

tration of 2,735 at ^ .,-<5:*riiJi^fc^"^'^"\ "^°^^ ^^^^ *^^ P^^' 

the twenty-four /C^'i^A^lSrOH!^^^- sibility that half a 

athletic meets held x^^*^ V^'^jEafl^^Bl^rX dozen stars may be 

under the supervi- /j .Os^^. '^^^lli'^jS-^^^^^^^^l^^. developed. It 

sion of the Boston- /^ '•^^Jr^^^^^^'^^^^Sfk'K means that since 
1915 Boys' Games / ^^^^ ^^'Jm^^ \r ^■^■J^\:^M^, July 23 these 500 
Committee. This /% . --j^ ^^'^'^l^k •"'■■ 'A^^ f ^SMk \ boys have been 
year there were ' ^^7*^ fi^V&^i/^?^^ training in the out- 

fifteen meets — ten 'L,! ^- -^ ^^ ^?^''^''* F^ of-doors under the 

preliminary track i vH/ f | 20STv>nA ijn^] direction of com- 
meets, four swim- \ * ^J<^/'', \ rp V^ ;^,{ >^ ^^'frr^rl Patent athletic in- 
ming meets and the V^f X^ ^ V^'^ ' J? i'f!^ structors. It means 

final meet at Wood \ V^^ If^ V^^^i^*' *"" '^^^^f^^^'^^L-/ *^^^^ many times 
Island, which is V^^iCT: •Np* ^"•'■'^^ /^'^^"c/ ^^^ ^^^^^ actually 

being run off as we \ ^i^^' V c> y M^^-Tl^X competed in the teii 

go to press. The "^<* ^- ^^v^j< ^| ^p 1^^^^ preliminary meets, 

total individual \^ ^P ^^ /^ ^^^ only first, 

entry list at the ^"^--^^^ZiL- -^ second, third and 

1910 games will fourth qualified for 

exceed 1,200, and PRELIMINARY MEETS MEDAL the final games. It 

the complete list in means that not 

all events will go over 3,500. These only the better known high school 
figures tell the best story of the success athletes have entered, but also that 
of the meets. Old time athletes, boys without athletic reputation have 
anxious to see local track men win as competed. It means, as one of 
in other days, have welcomed the 1915 the sporting editors of the Boston 
games as feeders for young fellows who papers said, that "the manliness and 
will some day become prominent in the sportsmanship of the young athletes 
big games both in this and other cities, who are competing in the 1915 junior 
But the fact that 500 boys will enter in the games has been a topic of comment 



186 



NEW BOSTON 




START OF THE HUNDRED AT WOOD ISLAND 



among some of the followers of outdoor 
sports. 

" 'Some of their characteristics might 
well be adopted by some of their older 
brethren,' remarked a gentleman the 
other day. 'I have attended a number 
of these meets this year and have failed 



yet to see a boy raise a howl over 
the referee's decision, no matter 
how raw it appeared. They have 
taken their portion like lambs and 
tried the next time to do better in 
their events, so as to keep out of close 
decisions.' " 




ALL EXPERT SWIMMERS 




THAIMNG FOR THE PHELIMIXARIES 




"THE C.ALLERY" AT DENVER HI:A( II 




THE FIFTY-YARD DASH FOR JUNIORS 




GOOD FORM IN THE HIGH JUMP 



THE BOSTON -1915 BOYS' GAMES 



180 



It means that half a thousand boys 
have kept in trim for two hot summer 
months and have learned the principles 
of fair play and the penalties for fouling. 

Perhaps the swimming meets attracted 
the greatest amount of attention. The 
directors of these meets say that never 
before have such numbers of boys and 
girls, young and old, turned out for 
recreation and instruction. Of course 
the hot weather always brings out the 
bathers, but the incentive given by 
medals for those who excel, goes a long 
ways towards stimulating additional in- 
terest. There were 545 entries at the 
swimming meets at Dewey Beach, North 
End Park, L Street and Wood Island, 
and 15,000 spectators watched the sport 
from the beaches. It is estimated that 
there was a total attendance of 25,000 at 
the ten preliminary track meets which 
were held as follows under expert di- 
rection : 

Charlesbank, July 23, John D. O'Reilly; 
Roslindale Playground, July 23, M, J. 
Redding; First Street Playground, July 
30, F. J. O'Brien; Marcella Street Play- 
ground, July 30, F. L. O'Brien; N. 
Brighton Playground, July 30, W. C. 



Matthews; Wood Island, August C, 
J. J. O'Donnell; Charlestown Playground, 
August 6, J. H. Crowley; Franklin Field, 
August 6, F. L. O'Brien; North End 
Park, August 13, M. J. Redding; Colum- 
bus Avenue, August 13, W. C. Matthews. 

Swimming meets : Dewey Beach, July 
30, Henry Higgins in charge; North End 
Park, July 30, J. McNamara; L Street, 
August 13, John Driscoll; Wood Island, 
August 13, Matthew Leary. 

The Boston-1915 Boys' Games Com- 
mittee furnished the initiative for these 
meets, but most credit is due to Nathanial 
J. Young, assistant director of gymnastics 
and athletics of the city of Boston. His 
experience in track athletics and his 
executive ability proved invaluable from 
the beginning. The instructors also de- 
serve a big share of credit for the efficient 
way in which they handled the games. 

For two summers the track meets have 
proved successful. In other years per- 
haps this idea of interesting boys and 
girls in outdoor games during the hot 
months may be developed to include an 
organized baseball league which would 
probably draw even more attention than 
have the track meets of 1909 and 1910. 




THE JUNIOR BROAD JUMP 



THE 

HARVARD-BOSTON 

AVIATION 

MEET 

No event in Boston for many years 
has attracted the \vi(k\spread interest 
and so thoron^hly aronsed anticipations 
as the Harvard-lioston Aero Meet 
to be hekl from September 8 to 13. The 
very fact that it is held under the aus- 
pices of the Harvard Aeronautical Society 
with tlie hearty endorsement of Presi- 
dential Lowell of Harvard College, and 
of Mayor Fitzgerald in ])ehalf of the 
city lends it an importance not attached 
to any previous aviation meets held in 
this country. It has rapidly assumed 
the aspect of an international affair by 
reason of the large amount offered in 
cash prizes, these aggregating over 
$50,000 with one single prize of $10,000— 
that offered by the Boston GJohe — for 
the best time in the continuous flight 
from the aviation field to Soldiers Field, 
Cambridge, then down to Boston Light 
and back to the aviation field. Such 
generous list of prizes has, of course, 
attracted the star aviators from all 
parts of the world. 

It was first intended to have the meet 
on Soldiers Field but the entries were so 
numerous and the event bid fair to draw 
such big crowds, that it was very soon 
found imperative to transfer the scene 
of the meet to more spacious grounds. 
Arrangements were accordingly made for 
a large level field, ideal for aviation ex- 
hibitions, at Atlantic, bordering on 
Dorchester Bay and situated between 
Neponset Bridge and Squantum. Some- 
thing like 500 acres are at the disposal 
of the meet, giving better opportunities 
for air craft evolution in the immediate 
vicinity of the spectators than any 
aviation field that has hitherto been used 
in this country. The ai)proaches to the 
field by trolley, steam train and auto- 
mobile are all that could be desired. The 
New York, New Haven and Hartford 
trains from the South Station will make 
special trips to Atlantic and the spec- 




tators will have a walk of only about 
five minutes to the field. The Boston 
Elevated cars run to Neponset Bridge 
where passengers may either walk to the 
field or transfer to cars of the Old Colony 
Street Railway, which will carry them 
right to the entrance of the grounds. 
Automobilists will find splendid approach 
along the Quincy Shore boulevard to 
the edge of the field. 

An attendance of at least half a million 
is anticipated during the nine days of 
the meet. Contract for 460,000 tickets 
has been signed by Adams D. Claflin, 
the manager, and arrangements have 
been made for the construction of a 
grand stand that will seat 20,000 spec- 
tators, and two rain proof sheds for flying 
machines, each 600 feet long. 

The management has already com- 
mitted to an expenditure of $80,000, 
$50,000 of which is for prizes and $30,000 
for general expenses. All the officers 
of the meet are giving their services free 
with the understanding that what is 
made from the event shall go to Harvard 
Aeronautical Society for university use 
to promote the science of aviation. In 
case the profits are sufficient to endow 
a professorship it is likely that Harvard 
will follow the example of the University 
of Gottingen in Germany and establish 
a chair of aeronautics. 

It is purely a Harvard enterprise. 
iVdams D. Claflin, who projected Noruni- 
bega Park and developed the street 
railway system of the Newtons, is a 
Harvard graduate. Among the alumni 
associated with him are Colonel William 
A. Gaston, president of the National 
Shawmut Bank; General William A. 
Bancroft, president of the Boston Ele- 
vated Road; Robert Winsor, head of 



THE HARVARD-BOSTON AVIATION MEET 



191 



Kidder, Peabody and Co.; ex-Governor 
Curtis Guild, Jr.; Lieutenant-Governor 
Louis A. Frothingham; President A. 
Lawrence Lowell of Harvard University, 
Professor A. Lawrence Rotch of the 
Harvard Aeronautical Society, President 
J. L. Richards of the Boston Consoli- 
dated Gas (Company, and John E. 
Thayer of Lancaster. Others aiding 
the project are Mayor John F. Fitzgerald, 
President Louis R. Speare of the Ameri- 
can Automobile Association, President 
B. J. Rothwell of the Boston Chamber 
of Commerce and Charles J. Glidden, 
president of the Aero Club of New Eng- 
land. 

The Los Angeles meet attracted an 
average attendance of 40,000 daily, and 
on one day the meet at Atlantic City 
had an attendance of 70,000. On Labor 
Day, when the Harvard Meet will start 
its races, it is expected the attendance 
will reach 150,000. 

At present the list of prizes to be com- 
peted for by professionals is : 

First Second Third 

Speed $,'5,000 $2,000 $1,000 

Altitude 3,000 2,000 1,000 

Duration 2,000 1,000 

Distance 2,000 1,000 

Slowest lap 1,000 500 

Getaway 100 50 

Accuracy 500 250 

Fastest time between Harvard Aviation 
Field, Soldiers Field and Boston Light 
and return, $10,000. P'or best record 
dropping bombs on battleships, $5,000 
and the Harvard cup. In case of world's 
records broken in any one of these events, 
$1,000 will be added to the first prizes 
as above. Additional prizes will be 
announced later for novice competitors. 

One of Boston's own aviators is ex- 
pected to figure very conspicuously in 
the Meet. This is Charles F. Willard 
of Melrose who is only twenty-six years 
old but has made some spectacular 
flights and some very creditable records 
at other important meets in this country. 

Practically all of the aviators in the 
United States — the men who can and 
have flown — will be present at the 
Harvard-Boston meet, and among the 
foreigners who are expected are Grahame- 
White and Count de Lesseps. Every 
effort is being made to secure Bleriot 
and there is good reason to hope 
that he will be here. Didier Masson, 



the French aviator, has entered. He 
will use a Bleriot monoplane as he did 
at Los Angeles, where he flew with Paul- 
han. He is one of the best of the French 
aviators, ranking with Bleriot, Paulhan 
and De Lesseps. 

A. V. Roe, the eminent English aviator, 
has entered. He will use a triplane, 
probably the only aeroplane of this type 
that will be seen at the meet. In fact, 
Roe is the only man who has successfully 
flown a triplane and his machine may 
cut a very important figure in the speed 
contests. It is not certain whether or 
not he will try for the Globe $10,000 cash 
prize for a flight from Soldiers Field to 
Boston Light and return. He has made 
some remarkably fast short flights with 
his triplane. 

It is confidently expected that besides 
Curtiss himself, Hamilton, who made the 
great flight from New York to Philadel- 
phia and return, will enter the Harvard- 
Boston contests wnth a biplane built by 
Augustus M. Hering. This biplane is an 
unknown quantity, but it is felt that an 
expert aviator like Hamilton would not 
use it unless he was confident of success 




RALPH JOHNSTONE 



192 



NEW BOSTON 



in it. He used a Curtiss biplane in liis 
New York-Philadelphia flight and he has 
heretofore been among the most daring 
and successful of the aviators that have 
been trainetl under Curtiss at Ham- 
mondsport. 

Hut after all the man who does the 
most amazing fetes with a biplane is 



brothers' aviator, who is entered for the 
meet here, and who equals Johnstone 
in nonchalant daring. One of the most 
graceful things imaginable is seeing 
Brookins ascend in a spiral to a height 
of more than a mile as he did at Atlantic 
City. Chanez, the French champion, 
who won the altitude prize in the con- 




CHARLES F. VVILLARD, OF MELROSE, MASS. 



Johnstone, who will handle a Wright 
biplane at the Harvard-Boston meet. 
When the band was i)laying at the Mon- 
treal meet he daringly kept time to the 
music by dipping and rising as if he were 
dancing on a waxed floor. 

Johnstone has a running mate, how- 
ever, in Brookins, the other Wright 



test at Black Pool, England, recently, in 
a Bleriot monoplane, rose to a height 
of 5,400 feet, but Brookins went nearly 
1,000 feet higher at Atlantic City. 
Wilbur Wright's performance in Germany 
a few years ago was considered a mar- 
velous performance, but he only rose 
1,500 feet. 



SAVING EYESIGHT 



193 



It is expectefi that A. Zeppelin, cousin 
of the famous Count ZeppeHn, the Ger- 
man dirigible balloon king, will fly the 



Harvard biplane that was recently built 
under the direction of Mr. Martin of 
the Harvard Aeronautical Society. 




GROUP OF WRIGHT AVIATORS 

Orville Wright, third from left 



SAVING EYESIGHT 

A Venture in Conservation 



HENRY COPLEY GREENE 

Agent for Prevention under the direction of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 



How many of us have one blind friend? 
How many have even acquaintances 
among the blind? Yet there are some six 
hundred blind in Boston; some four thou- 
sand in the state. And their needs count 
more than their numbers. 

Go to the Nursery for Blind Babies at 
Jamaica Plain'; and you will see their 
pathetic need of care in its most poignant, 
its one helpless phase. Go to the Kinder- 
garten for the Blind next door, and you 
will see sights no less pathetic, but trans- 
formed with gayety. You will see blind 
children exercising in their airy gym- 
nasium; blind children tilting, swinging, 
romping under the trees; or in winter 
learning glad hardihood on the frozen 



snow. For their need to play is like 
other children's with a difference; they 
must have expert special encouragement 
to what seems an impossible freedom and 
self dependence. At the kindergarten 
again, you will see fulfilled their need for 
education in thinking, as it were with 
those marvellous fingers of theirs that slip 
over metal points, or from combination 
to combination of raised dots on paper, 
while corresponding numbers and corre- 
sponding words frame themselves in the 
brain. In the Perkins Institute you will 
find their blind bodies and illumined minds 
straining with new needs to learn and to 
act. At last, in the workshops of the 
Commission for the Blind vou will find 



194 



NEW BOSTON 



them as apprentices, expert workmen and 
foremen sharing with the rest of us our 
homely need to earn. 

To fit the bhnd into such industrial life 
costs heavily. The legislature appro- 
priated $'20,000 to carry on the process 
in 1909 and $15,000 in 1910. And to lead 
each blind boy from infancy to the age 
where the state's agents can help him to 
useful work, means an outlay of perhaps 
$3,000 more than if the boy could see. 
Commercially speaking, this $3,000 is lost, 
unless our blind charges' life-product ex- 
ceeds, by just so much, the output of 
their seeing competitors. Often this loss 
is real ; the blind man may prove a lifelong 
partial load on society. But by repairing 
chairs or making mattresses, by weaving 
rugs, by tuning pianos, by stenography, 
by practicing law, these men may make 
good. By an invention, for example the 
Wundermop, they may overbalance their 
account with the world, and create a 
means of livelihood for fellow blind men. 
As for the women, whoever has seen even 
a few of their hand-woven fabrics must 
know that, for one thing, they can create 
real and exquisite works of art. And 
where genius scales the ramparts of dark- 
ness, as in certain writings of Helen Kel- 
ler's, lost sight makes the humbler senses 
resonant; compacts them into words, for 
the spirit's imagination, salt as the sea 



winds' taste, warm with unseen sunlight, 
and strong with the felt strength of the 
upholding earth. 

Here and there the soul in a blind body 
may thus give light to clear-eyed bodies 
dulled by a dim soul. Here and there the 
mind and hand of the sightless may lift 
material burdens from the nation's back. 
But the blind, Avith heroic exceptions, can 
just lift their own load. The blind in 
Massachusetts cost the commonwealth 
$80,000 annually in ajjpropriations alone; 
and the cost to private charity is tens of 
thousands more. The total cost exceeds 
computation; for every blind man is bereft 
of our unconscious heritage, that miracle 
of joy in the sun's light on trees and grass 
and the faces of men. 

Must these things be.^ The legislature 
has evidently thought not; for it has 
authorized the commission to maintain a 
register of the blind, describing in each 
instance the cause of blindness. Why 
learn the cause, if not to seek a remedy.^ 
And as there is too often no remedy when 
once a man is blind, why seek out causes 
unless to prevent their recurrance.f* Such 
questions have doubtless been in the com- 
mission's mind when interpreting the law; 
for they have taken it as a mandate of 
prevention. First, setting on foot re- 
searches more thorough than our law 
makers foresaw, they have followed them 




BLIND CHILDUKX AT PERKINS INSTITUTION 

"Learning glad hardihood on the frozen snow" 



SAVING EYESIGHT 



195 




TOBOGGANING AT HARTFORD 

"Their play is like other children's with a difference" 



up with action. They have secured, 
through the Research Department of the 
Boston School for Social Workers and the 
Russell Sage Foundation, first an investi- 
gation of all degrees of eye-disablement, 
then a special study of blindness in babies. 
Through the co-operation of the Massa- 
chusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary they 
have secured close studies of the social 
conditions affecting preventable blind- 
ness. And to follow up the clues which 
these investigations have revealed, they 
have set at work an agent for the preser- 
vation of eyesight. 

Many are the needless ways in which 
eyesight is dimmed, dulled or totally lost. 
The "insane fourth," used once to destroy 
children's and grown men's eyes, in pairs, 
or singly. In the latter case the remain- 
ing eye would serve well, perhaps for 
years; then a splinter of stone, removed 
with a septic tool, would cause an ulcer; 
and neglect, repented too late, would 
leave the man with, say, a tenth of nor- 
mal vision. Men, one-eyed from disease 
at birth or later, still often lose what sight 



they have, from trivial accidents neglect- 
ed. And serious dangers — unguarded 
pressure-guages, exploding bottles, fly- 
ing emery, chips of steel, things as various 
as industry itself, still threaten workmen's 
sight, not only because of their own care- 
lessness, but because of their employers' 
laxity. School children's eye-sight may 
suffer from the strain of a curriculum ill 
adapted to their physique in critical years. 
The young, ill housed and ill nourished 
by ignorant or underpaid parents, suffer 
from a common disease of the eyes whicii, 
recurring again and again, results in 
ulcers; and these dull the clear surface of 
the eye till, sometimes, sight is most seri- 
ously dimmed. Finally two scourges, 
sharper far than the "white plague," 
scourges to which a prudish society is 
blind, but which deal out suffering more 
lavishly than any other ills of civilized 
flesh, — finally gonorrhoea and syphilis 
threaten eyesight. 

Accidents, eye-strain, ill health akin to 
tuberculosis, syphilis and gonorrhoea, 
these are the main factors of damages to 



196 



NEW BOSTON 



sight which, just now, seem most preven- 
table. The future may conceivably reveal 
means to prevent cataracts or glaucoma. 
Who knows? But at present these few 
causes are the enemy which w^e must cut 
off. But how shall we reach them? 
Partly by climbing aboard existing wag- 
ons; partly by hitching on fresh horses, 
and driving two, even three, where one 
jogged slowly before; and partly by start- 
ing oft' fresh teams. 

Take two questions affecting the young, 
cases of so-called "phlyctenular" disease 
which dims the eyesight of the under- 
nourished and the too closely housed. 
These are results of the same conditions 
which the anti-tuberculosis societies have 
learned so efficiently to combat. What 
more natural than to join forces with 
them? Or take eye-strain. If, as seems 
possible, this is largely a school problem, 
what more desirable than to unite with 
school teachers, physicians, nurses, 
boards, to waylay and entrap the com- 
mon enemy? 

Turning, now, to a problem of indus- 
trial life, the crucial problem of accidents. 
Here again we find co-operation the clue. 
Here again the same conditions are met 
by diverse groups, — employers, insurance 
companies, labor unions, societies for pro- 
gressive legislation. With varying energy 
and efficiency all are at work. The steel 
trust has taken action; and no further off 
than in Worcester, a safety department 
may be seen at work in one of the trust's 
subsidiaries. Almost the first of a new 
profession, the department's safety in- 
spector investigates all accidents in the 
plant, and works out changes to prevent 
their repetition. A committee of employes 
co-operates with him, and all designs 
for new machinery pass through his 
hands. The factor of long hours, so con- 
ducive to accidents is, of course, beyond 
the safety department's control; yet here 
is a good beginning. Insurance com- 
panies, moreover, are i)romoting such 
work by the illustrated reports in which 
they ])ut before employers and engineers 
great varieties of ingenious safety devices. 
Permanent safety exhibits should soon 
follow wherever employers, machine work- 
men and engineers are centered. And 
meantime, a state commission on work- 
men's compensation is preparing to hear 
the views of labor unions, of employers, 



of lawyers, and of such observers as the 
American Association for Labor Legisla- 
tion. With this evidence, and the experi- 
ence of almost every civilized nation at 
their disposal, it is to be hoped that the 
Commission on Workmen's Compensa- 
tion may draft, and the next legislature 
pass, a law which shall result in sharpen- 
ing the wits and steeling the will of em- 
ployers to prevent all avoidable accidents. 
In New York a workmen's compensation 
act, applicable to extra-dangerous em- 
ployments, goes into effect next month. 
Will Massachusetts delay? 

In the clear field for preservation of 
eyesight our allied antagonists, syphilis 
and gonorrhoea, still loom hugely menac- 
ing. Not that their menace to eyesight 
is as fierce as to sanity or to woman's life 
and health. Yet persistently, unabat- 
ingly, syphilis dims and sometimes oblit- 
erates the sight of children, women and 
men, quite guiltlessly infected. Children, 
congenitally infected, escape blindness 
only in many instances, to lose all bril- 
liancy of sight. And their elders occa- 
sionally go quite blind. As for that twin 
evil to syphilis, gonorrhoea, it deals out 
darkness still more ruthlessly, and with a 
cold injustice. The few adults whose eyes 
become involved almost invariably infect 
only one eye. The percentage of cures is 
low, but the uninfected eye still serves. 
Not so with babies. Infected innocently 
at birth, their eyes are almost always 
both involved; and without expert treat- 
ment they often lapse into complete and 
lifelong blindness. 

Some day the public will stand erect, 
shake itself, look its enemies in the face. 
Then syphilis and gonorrhoea, judged 
clearly as destructive diseases, not con- 
fusedly as by-products of sin, will be con- 
trolled, restricted, largely stamped out. 
Norwegians, taking the question up pure- 
ly as one of public health, appear to have 
solved it, in part at least, and by the use 
of unsentimental intelligence. Cannot 
Americans attack the same task? Just 
now a fusillade of leaflets doubtless does 
something, for this individual and for that. 
Leaflets, however, leave syphilis and gon- 
orrhoea as safe as Gulliver in Lilliput, a 
target for tiniest arrows. These first 
causes of blindness are as yet, impene- 
trable to attack. Only results are vul- 
nerable. But these results are diseases of 



SAVING EYESIGHT 



197 




GIRL WEAVING 

"They can create exquisite works of art" 



the eye which themselves may be cut off. 
The childhood eye-disease caused by con- 
genital syphilis can probably almost al- 
ways be prevented by long and patient 
expert care ; and the gonorrhoeal infection 
of babies' eyes at birth can be neutralized 
by an act as easy as rolling off a log. 

Here is a tactical rallying ground in the 
fight for the conservation of eyesight. 
The appeal of blinded innocents cannot 
be gainsaid. Their sight, once lost, is lost 
for life. Their eyes, moreover, show the 
same superficial symptoms when infected 
by germs other than those of gonorrhoea. 
The question of sex-disease can accord- 
ingly be shunted. Ophthalmia neona- 
torum, or inflammation of the eyes of the 



new-born, is a highly contagious germ 
disease. Inflammation of the eyes of the 
new-born may occur from various infec- 
tions though that which most commonly re- 
sults in blindness is a gonorrheal infection. 
The infection may occur during the pro- 
cess of birth or later through careless use 
of towels. This virulent disease has been 
for many years, along with other inflam- 
mations, called "babies' sore eyes" and 
thought to be due to "catching cold." 
Safety requires that "babies' sore eyes," 
whatever the infection, be promptly 
treated. Not gonorrhoea, but "sore eyes" 
is the enemy. 

What obstacle remains? Is this fight 
even a contest? Strangely enough, it is 



1J)8 



NEW BOSTON 




NEEDLESSLY BLIND FOR LIFE 
"Ophthalmia neonatorum" 



hard and long, and requires the aid of all 
possible allies. Though a couple of drops 
of harmless one per cent solution of nitrate 
of silver, dropped into every baby's eyes 
at birth, would prevent the vast majority 
of cases of "babies' sore eyes," {ophthal- 
mia neonatorum) it still causes about a 
third of all cases of blindness in Ameri- 
can schools for the blind. From a quar- 
ter to almost half of all children in 
these schools are l)lind from this one 
cause, and needlessly blind. 

Who is responsible for this disgrace? 
In other states, it has been usual to hold 
the niidwives guilty. In Massachusetts, 
midwives, by a legal fiction, have long 
ceased to exist; and though a study of 
official records in five Massachusetts cities 
shows that niidwives publicly reported 
from five to twenty-seven per cent of the 
births registered in 1909, hardly a case of 
ophthalmia neonatorum can be traced to 
these niidwives' neglect. This is due 
more to their good fortune than to their 
care; for they usually })erfer tea-leaves or 
breast-milk to any recognized preventive 




THE PREVENTIVE 
A couple of drops of harmless solution 



SAVING EYESlCxHT 



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Xos. 
per 1000 



Fall River Worcester Gloucester Lawrence 

MINIMUM RATES PER 1,000 BIRTHS 



Lowell 



Numbers of cases of ophthalmia neonatorum per thousand registered births in the practice of ninety-five 

physicians reporting 14,795 births during 1909 



for ophthalmia neonatorum. The babies 
whom they usher into the world, seem 
usually to resist the more serious birth 
infections. Whether this resistance is a 
question of race cannot now authorita- 
tively be said. But however, this may be, 
the line between midwives and physi- 
cians in the matter of ophthalmia neona- 
torum is curiously marked. While mid- 
wives rarely have cases, physicians fare 
badly. 

The reason is not far to seek. Among 
some 5,949 babies whose births were 
reported by ninety-five physicians in five 
Massachusetts cities during 1909, forty- 
two per cent were attended by physicians 
who never use a recognized preventive 
for ophthalmia neonatorum. 

This astonishing fact is of course partly 
a bye-product of the second class medical 
education scored by Abraham Flexner in 
his recent report. The graduates of one 
medical school, for instance, are in the 
habit of squeezing lemon juice into the 
babies' eyes. But even graduates of our 
best schools are sometimes lamentably 
lax; and some of them condemn an occa- 
sional baby to blindness by a misplaced 



confidence in their own ability to deter- 
mine when preventive precautions are 
needless. It would be far safer if physi- 
cians would invariably use a preventive. 

Fortunately the legislature of 1910 
passed a bill, substituted by the State 
Board of Health for a bill introduced by 
Dr. Edward R. Gookin of Dorchester, and 
empowering the State Board of Health 
to distribute the necessarj" preventive 
free of cost to all registered physicians in 
the commonwealth. This distribution is 
now under way. And Dr. Richardson, 
secretary to the board, is sending to every 
physician, not only a large and convenient 
bottle-like dropper, containing a one per 
cent solution of nitrate of silver, but a 
letter urging its routine use at the birth 
of every child. 

One step more remains to be taken; 
that is to enforce promj:)t expert care for 
all cases of ophthalmia neonatorum which 
still occur. The legislature of 1905 pro- 
vided for such action by making the symp- 
toms of "babies' sore eyes" immediately 
reportable to all local boards of health, 
and by directing them to take action "in 
order that blindness mav not ensue." 



200 



NEW BOSTON 



This law remained a dead letter in most 
cities till last year, when the State Board 
of Health first required the reporting of 
ophthalmia neonatorum by local boards to 
the State House. This gave the law some 
life; and reports began to come in from 
most of our cities. But the law is still 
insufficiently enforced. In seven cities 
where thirty-three cases were reported 
during 1909, a partial canvass revealed 
the existence, among others, of 108, all 
probably gonorrhoeal. The proportion of 
such cases to births, indeed, was shown 
to be greater than has been supposed; 
and instead of two or three cases per 
thousand births, minimum rates of about 
nine per thousand was found, for in- 
stance in Lawrence and Lowell. 

With so many cases occurring unre- 
ported, the wonder is that more babies 
do not go blind. And the wonder in- 
creases when one observes the absence of 
standard action by local boards of health 
in the comparatively few cases of which 
they officially hear. In some cities they 
do nothing. In Boston, however, the 
board at its discretion, sends these chil- 



dren to the Eye and Ear Infirmary; and 
in Springfield the local board sends a 
physician to attend cases that can safely 
be treated at home. If standards of 
action can be clearly defined and adopted 
throughout the state, they may save the 
eyesight of many a child from destruction. 
In the fight against ophthalmia neona- 
torum, as in the fight against other men- 
aces to eyesight, success can come only 
through allied action. In this case, boards 
of health and physicians must be our 
immediate allies, as oculists, school teach- 
ers, anti-tuberculosis societies and men 
interested in labor legislation must be 
our allies and our leaders in the fight 
against "low vitality" eye diseases, and 
against accidents to the eye. But in all 
these fights, ultimately and indispen- 
sably, our ally of allies must be the pub- 
lic. Let the public once wake to the need 
of industrial safety, good hygiene, a clear 
headed fight against syphilis and gonor- 
rhoea; let the public demand of all physi- 
cians routine preventive work against 
babies' blindness, and our venture in con- 
servation will go on in splendid confidence. 




MOP SHOP 

"By an invention tlioy may create a means of livelihood for their fellow l)lin(l men." 



The Relation of Congestion of Population 
to Mortality in Boston 



L. M. BRISTOL 

Instructor in Sociology, Tufts College 



Throughout the world the Nineteenth 
Century was an era of marvellous in- 
dustrial progress accompanied by con- 
centration of population, resulting in 
a variety of economic and social evils. 

The bad effects of congestion of popu- 
lation in tenement districts has received 
merited attention in certain quarters, 
but many investigations have been one- 
sided and the published statistics mis- 
leading. Valuable data has been se- 
cured but this data has often been poorly 
analyzed and misinterpreted. There has 
been a tendency to fail to discriminate 
between the direct and indirect results 
of congestion of population on mortality 
and the coincidence of congestion and 
high mortality has often been interpreted 
as proving that in the two we have a 
complete expression of the law of cause 
and effect. The same is true of the 
statistics dealing with congestion and 
infant mortality and especially of late 
with those setting forth the relation 
between congestion and tuberculosis. 

The purpose of this article will be to 
consider the relation between congestion 
and mortality in Boston analyzing our 
results with the special purpose of dis- 
covering the various factors that enter 
into the question; in other words, to 
find out whether mere congestion with 
resultant bad air, poor light and danger 
of infection from contagious diseases 
sufficiently explains the high death rate 
of certain tenement districts in Boston, 
or whether there are racial, social and 
economic factors that are equally im- 
portant. 

If the people now dwelling in the 
crowded tenements could be transjjlanted 
to most favorable housing conditions, 
retaining their present high birth rate 
and low standards and practices of living, 
would their mortality rate decrease in 
any marked degree.'* On the other hand, 
if the well-to-do should migrate to a 



congested section but retain their present 
standards of living in all other respects, 
with plenty of good nourishing food, 
exercise, wholesome recreation and com- 
parative freedom from worry as to the 
future, and take such health precautions 
as their education would dictate in order 
that they might adapt themselves to 
their new conditions, would their mor- 
tality rate rise appreciably? 

Considering the question first his- 
torically, if we compare old Boston 
with Boston and its annexed territory, 
we find that whereas the congestion of 
old Boston increased steadily from 16.6 
per acre in 1800 to 95.8 per acre in 1905, 
there was a decrease in death rate for 
the city as a whole from an average of 
26.4 per 1,000 in the decade 1845-55 to 
19.6 per 1,000 in the decade 1895-1905, 
while the average for 1905-8 was 19 per 
1,000. We have thus a decrease of 
mortality with increase of density. But 
this proves nothing as to the relation of 
the two, for there has been marked in- 
crease in medical skill during these 
years, and a closer examination of the 
returns shows that the decrease in death 
rate has been wholly among children, 
with a positive increase in the rate of 
those over five years of age.* 

If we compare the wards comprising 
old Boston, where in general we find the 
greatest congestion, with those com- 
prising the annexed territory, we obtain 
the following result: Old Boston, wards 
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, contains 2,306 
acres and had a mean aggregate popu- 
lation, 1901-5, of 167,134 or 72 persons 
per acre.''" The mean number of dwell- 
ings was 14,008 or an average of twelve 
persons per dwelling. The average death 
rate for the period was 17.1 per thousand.! 

♦Report of Registry Department, 1905 Appendix B >nd 
1908, p. 246. 

tFound by adding the populatlon'of the two census years 
and dividing by two. 

J Only residents of the city and those of iinl<nown residence 
are Included. 



^0^ 



NEW BOSTON 



The territory coni{)ri.sing' the annexed 
sections has an area of '2'-2,31''2 acres with 
a mean aggregate popuhition, 1901-5, of 
418,856 or 18.8 persons per acre. The 
mean number of (IwelHngs was 52,619 
or an average of 7.9 persons per dwelHng. 
The average deatli rate was 16..'} per 
1,000, which is .8 \)cr thousand less than 
the average for ohl Boston though the 
latter has four times the density l)er 
acre and fifty per cent greater congestion 
measured by persons per dwelling; and 
this is reduced to .4 per thousand if we 
take for our average death rate in each 
case an average of the ward rates for 
each year. 

If we turn to Talkie 1 and look up the 
wards com])rising these two groups we 
will see how valueless are any conclusions 
based on these results, for Ward 8 in old 
Boston has very great density of popu- 
lation with a low death rate, whereas 
some of the wards in the annexed terri- 
tory as Ward 13, have much less density, 
but far higher death rate. In this table 
we have arranged the wards in three 
groups based on congestion of popida- 
tion, the first group with an average of 
five to seven persons per dwelling, the 
second with an average of eight to nine 
and the third with ten or over. 

This comparison seems to show quite 
conclusively the close relation between 
congestion and mortality, but we are 
struck with the fact that in the third 
group the ratio of deaths under one year 



to births is lower than in the second 
group and the phthisis rate about the 
same. We also notice the correlation 
between the death rate and birth rate 
for each group and the fact that the third 
group has a much larger per cent of 
foreign born population; and turning 
to Tal)le I we notice that in Group I, 
Ward 4 has a higher death rate, higher 
birtii rate, higher ratio between infant 
deaths and births and higher phthisis 
rate than some in Group II and higher 
even than some in Group III. On the 
other hand in group II, Ward 22 is lower 
at every joint save congestion than some 
in group I, while in Group III, Wards 8 
and 10 run low although Ward 8 leads 
all in density per acre and is second only to 
Ward 6 in average persons per dwelling. 

The striking exceptions to the general 
conclusions based on a comparison of 
ward groups suggests that race, age 
composition and other factors may be as 
important as mere congestion. 

Chart I, is a graphic representation 
of the comparative infant mortality 
of the wards for the period, based on 
deaths under one year of age per 1,000 
living births. This is taken from column 
8, table 1, the rates reduced to per cents 
of that of Massachusetts for the period. 
Many authorities consider this one of 
the best indices o' health conditions and 
one of the best methods of comparison. 

It is a well known fact that races 
differ greatly in vitality and in power 



TABLE II 
TABLE I BY GROUPS — AVERAGES 



Population 
Group per ward 


Per cent 

foreign 

born 


Persons 

per 
dwelling 


Density 
per acre 


Death 
rate 


Birth 
rate 


Deaths 

under one Death 
vear per rate 
1,000 liv- phthisis 

ing births 


I .... 

11 .... 

Ill .... 


24,672 
20,72.5 
24,646 


;}0 . 20 

;n.7o 

42 25 


6.90 

)) 00 

12.. 53 


26.75 
60.70 
83.52 


14.90|* 
14.20) 

16.92 1* 

17.28 i 

18.12|* 
18.07) 


21.90 1 * 
21.50) 

24 . 90 ^ * 
25 . 02 ) 

26.75 1* 
28 . 36 1 


12.03 1* 1.54)* 
12.02) 1.39) 

14.54)* 2.30^* 
14.47) 2.26) 

13.64 1* 2.35|* 
13 20) ! 2.24) 



•First figure is an average of averages for the separate wards, the second the average for the group as a whole. 



CONGESTION AND MORTALITY 



Mean per 

cent foreign 

born 


05l^OJ>05«5a0C0 
0(0<MIW0<0<'5<W 


0< Mi>»l-O^Ol- 

O 00Ot-iXX!«'f<(« 


t^ 

« 


S5?0<0 00<"«<XS5CO 


SI 

i>i 


S5»^05eo«50eoo 


Deaths from 
phthisis per 
1,000 popu- 
lation 




* 

■<J<050'C-f<i>005X«> 


* 




* 

eo »< 





COCC>10COCCX'.OS500 
0<OphI>'^X35»:SX 


^_rtrt^^,H^ 


'-ir^^'5<'X'^'3<®«'5«'5< 


Ot 


'5»O<'5<0Oi-H.-<r3'5<rtrH 


»« »» 


Deaths under 

1 yr. per 

1,000 living 

births 


OOOC3MOO»< 

-H o -H ^ L-s oj o ri 


* 


4t 




50 CO 




i> c « >-o c s is^ 

■*S«0<t~0!SX«S5X 
-^ifflSOiOCO-fi-OOJSS — 


Deaths per 
1,000 popu- 
lation 


00*Oi»OXC<:i>0 
1-1 "O "O o X »o » •* 


* 

.-^otco^oeoxox 

05'3<0'5<0050C5'*X'5< 


* 


* 

X s 


<3* 

C5 


X00Oi>35l>^'COl> 

'>«XCO-f"0'5<W'S<0<>* 


rft^nOt-lOt-XOCl 


i>iOU5IOC0^50X-f35 


1> X 










Births per 
1,000 popu- 
lation 




* 

O>iOO5XC0C0XtO?OO5 


* 

35 


0<».0'<*<0®»0»C505S5i-l 

o&«eoiocoo-*'Xi>x 


* 
t- so 


o IS* ^ eo »o s* X i> 

Q<®»0«i-HO<®«i-IS< 


^ ^ (S* cn «o <-o » o »-'5 r-* 


>0'5<t^Tfi-fxeo?o^L'5 

S«i-i!S«C0-^'5«»<i^G0'*< 


X 


d ^^3 

o S 

< a. 


tO-VrSJXOSOl^X 
•O^^C505-*COt> 


35 OC<:«I>05S««305 
CO XXXXX050505 



35 


OiCX'^^XCOCOi-i 
00.-H»S5 — fflC5®» 


so 




> a 
<3 


>oi-x«oj>»'^si 

iO0<«5C«S<XX'*' 
rt W M '* ©* M s< 


•-T S< O O <0 O 05 to '^ 

£^ «OS<®<«5X05eOC5 

o «o so i> i> ^ X o^ <o 
o« eox'oeO'fiL'soo 





0» 35 -0 '0 ^ C '-S 35 
i> C5 .» C5 0» ^ l^ i-O 

«^ '^ «- 35 35 35 t- -H -f. 

05 :o :o CO ">» X c 


eo 
X 


Mean popu- 
lation 


X«OCOCO«5005 

i> t-^ c; o^ o_ »c «o_ (« 

O CT "C -^' GO 1-^ lO -* 


<5< •C0050S»Of-l'Ji® 

t~ rH-f<«r-(Xl>0<C; 

O^ S5 ©<_ 0_ <5<_ X_^ S5_^ i-O 35 

•* i^' o" "V -H TfT -fT ,5} of 




».OS»'^35?0^-*0'5* 
e: 'O LO I3» i> 10 » ^ "5 

»f x' -m' co' -* i-o' so" cT -r 
o<o<o<s<s*i-H®«3o:o 


«o 

CO 
<3^ 


to 

Si 

o 

IV 


050»>0C»i-i?0OX 
C^iCi— 'GOOi-H^X 

i> "St^ co^ 50 ao t-__ «5 ^^ 


«5-*xoe«oJo»o 


(35 
00 


'-OO-'f'f'O'fCOOSO 
C0OC35O35XCS35 

s<j>osososoi-ii-i^ 


so 




e* o* s* i-H ©» s< 

8niiia-«a J3d SU0SJ3J i-s 
I dnojrj 


d :::::::: 

03 

Ol 

^ ©J ^ rt ^ ^ rt 

3nina.«a Jad snoBjaj 6-8 
II dnojQ 


d 

S3 












j 








«3 






©»05500S»t-OSXO 


Sunia-ttaJS'lsnosjad+Jl 
III tinoaxj 



CO 



CHART 11 





WARD DISTRIBUTIOIV- FOREIGN POPULATION -BOSTOR, 1105 

1 a 3 H 5 t T & fl ic M n 13 « 18 It i7 a w ic 2./ ^ a3 ay ^y ji* 


«? »t »* 


llre 




■- ■W////A\\\\!^ 


— ' I 




V//A\\\\M \ 






^^^^B 1 1 1 K1///J 1 IlKS^^T'T^ 1 


< 


^ -yMwW IIIIKM\\^\H^.|..MI 1 1 1 1 




^^^^^■^\^*^-^ 1 T" 






m^'' 






■-H>i-^ 






f.B 




~ ! 1 






< 


^hTT^'^^ 












xrW 




E^- 






^If-B 


^^^^H~~^HH 1 




1 




m^' 






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^^^^^^^^^1^ ^^^ 


H 


^[f.b 






tmM^ M 1 1 1 1 M 




tit" 


^^^^K— ^111 


WL 


,j|^^ ; 


1 




™f.fi 












m — 9 


pH^ill llfe^^x^^^:^ 


V \\s v^s>s\^ ^^'- ^^\\\ v^ ^^: ^M »-, 




vm^ 


o^cs ^^^ \v XV x-^s>c^ N^^ ^c^^ NM *^ 




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]m 1 ; 


^^^^:^^^^^^^m 


tr± 




4^ 


'^^^^m 




-^^llb^^^xP- 






1^ 


^It^- 












^Ime-e 








i ^^^^-]--^^^>:>^^ 


3 






=: 




pE^lE3 






^^^^B 1 II 








Hi 




-^^ll»H 










T^' 




^B^^^M 




^^m. . 






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4 


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Mf 




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^77/77M^MW^ V~ 




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1 1 1 V//X/7^^^////\\^ \ 1 1 






'^■^^^HhH //.///LVvt'/.;^/:..td 'll 


B^^rr^mi«i-H 1 






iai| 


-p^ V/y:v/MyMyAy/J^. 


Wj i ^ 1 




'//.\=\ ■ ■ ' -■ 1 1 


"^^■oM^^^ ■ 


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M 




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i— 1 












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.H^HMMlip ■k>^v;lc^--^ 






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llllllllk\\\VST^^^ 



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FP-FoRrisi» pflREM7A<iE. 
.MLAKD 6T.(«»n "^iSrgjr '^"^^ «"«'« atv.«wv SwtWK 01H«e*«««i. E„HSouaRt./O00 



"51 



Population of Boston, 1909, 595,380. 35% foreign born ; 09% of foreign parentage, 




MASSrtCHUS n 15, ltO i-5 100 PiHClHt 




I35-I1l.'i 



m-/n^ 



/f 9-/55.9 



CHART I 

Deaths under one year of age per 1, ()()() living l)irths, 1901-5. 



of adaptation to new conditions, the 
Jews always and everywhere with a com- 
paratively low death rate, the Negroes 
at the other extreme with a high rate. 

Chart II shows the distribution of 
the various races both as to native born 
of foreign parents and foreign born of 
foreign parents with the per cent of total 
ward population. 

The leading races that demand our 
consideration as affecting mortality are 
the Irish, Italian and Russian, among 
the foreign born and the Negroes among 
the native born. The Irish are scattered 
widely throughout the city forming 
twenty-seven per cent of the total 
population, including native born of 
Irish parents, but are especiallv numerous 
in Wards 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 17', 19 and 20. 
The Italians form the majority of Ward 
6, sixty per cent being of Italian parent- 
age, as do the Russians of Ward 8 with 
fifty-one per cent of Russian parentage.* 

In determining the influence of race 
on mortality the age and sex composition 
needs to be considered and also the 
leading occupations. The comparatively 
high death rate among the Italians, for 
example, is due in a large measure to 
the great number of infants in Italian 



families, and the large number of ac- 
cidents befalling unskilled day laborers 
especially among those not understand- 
ing the English language.** 

In comparing the death rates of the 
various wards this question of age com- 
position is of vital importance though 
often overlooked. The tables of the 
Registry Department Reports are very 
misleading in giving the infant deaths, 
by wards in per cents of the total infant 
deaths in the city, without considering 
the comparative number of infants 
liable to die. Infant deaths should be 
given either in proportion to the number 
of infants living or to the number of 
living births. In Chart I the latter 
method was used as our data for this 
was most reliable. 

As the death rate is highest among 
infants and among adults over sixty-five 
years of age these two factors are of 
j^rime importance in our study of the 
wards. We need to take into account 
also the fact that in ward statistics 
we are dealing with small numbers — too 



♦Registy Department Report, 1905, also State Census 1905, 
Table 65. 

** For differences in death rate among difterent races, age 
groups and occupations, see U. S. Census Reports, Vital 
Statistics. 



206 



NEW BOSTON 



small for a high degree of accuracy. The 
rates vary several points from year to 
year, and even five years is too short 
a period to be entirely satisfactory, hut 
no ward statistics are available prior 
to 1900, and the racial character and 
age composition of some of the wards 
change too much to make a longer term 
])ractica])le. 

Through the courtesy of the State 
Bureau Statistics of Labor, I was fur- 
nished a copy of the Census returns for 
1905 by w'ards, giving the age and sex 
composition, but these returns give 
evidence of such inaccuracy as to be of 
(|uestionable value for our purpose es- 
})ecially for the population under one 
year of age and for that under five years. 
x\fter testing the returns in many ways 
not only for the city but for the state 
it seems certain that several thousand 
infants if not older persons were omitted. 

In standardizing places for age and 
sex composition it is usual to take ten 
age groups but as the process is long and 
the data so inaccurate, such a method 
is not expedient for our purpose. Korosi, 
the celebrated Hungarian statistician, 
claims to have secured almost as satis- 
factory results with only four age groups 
but this is not so applicable to a cos- 
mopolitan population such as we find 
in Boston as to one more homogeneous 
as in most European countries. After 
experimenting with various methods it 
seemed best to use a modification of 
that formulated by Korosi, taking 
five age grou])s male and female: — under 
one year, one to nineteen years, twenty 
to forty-nine, fifty to sixty-five and over 
sixty-five, substituting for the census 
returns for the under one year of age 
population, an estimate made l)y taking 
the excess of births over deaths under 
one year of age of the children born of 
l)arents living in Boston and those of 
parents of unknown residence, from 
July 1, 1904 to July 1, 1905. 

This gives us an under one year popu- 
lation for the city of 12,943 as against 
the census figure of 9,112, or 2.21 per 
cent of the total population, which is 
a normal ratio. 

The factor for correction is the weight, 
or the allowance for difference in age 
and sex composition, by which the crude 
death rate has to be multiplied to find 



the number of deaths ])er thousand popu* 
lation that it is estimated would have 
occurred if all the wards had possessed 
the same percentage of persons in each 
of the five age groups, both male and 
female.* 

The comparative mortality figure is 
found by dividing the average death 
rate of Massachusetts for 1901-5, which 
was 16.78 per thousand, by the corrected 
death rate, and shows how much the 
rate of each ward was below or above 
the average for the state. For example, 
(Table III) in Ward 1, the average 
death rate for the period was 96.6 per 
cent of that for the state, while Ward 2 
was 105.2 per cent, or 5 per cent higher. 
Ward 13 was 158 per cent of that for 
the state or 58 per cent in excess, etc. 

The crude rates in Table III differ 
from those given in Table 1 for whereas 
the rates in Table 1 were found by 



*For the method of standardizing see Mayo-Smith 
"Statistics and Sociology." Newsholme, "Vital statistics" 
or any work on Statistics. 



Table III 











>> ti 






a 


3 








o 


a 


=s 00 "S 




V 


o 


« 


■g 1- £ 




% 


tu 




o io o 




tf 


h 


-G 


^ -^t 






o 


es 


^ QJ 




03 


o 


0) 


0, ^ .o a 




Qj 


Q 


^ 


t^cc O <=> 




Q 




0/ 


a o5 '"' 

cd ""* II 


"C 


0) 


o 




& ^.^ 


;-, 


^ 




b 


fl M O 


CS 




c 


tH 




Si 






o 


6 li 


1 


15.40 


1.053 


16.20 


96.6 


2 


16.49 


1.071 


17.66 


105.2 


3 


18.65 


1.039 


19.37 


115.4 


4 


18.99 


1.005 


18.99 


113.7 


5 


19.39 


1.059 


20.53 


122.4 


6 


20.35 


.951 


19.39 


115.5 


7 


24,10 


1.139 


27 . 44 


163.5 


8 


14.46 


1.099 


15.89 


94,7 


9 


19.62 


1.102 


21 . 62 


128.9 


10 


12.62 


1.158 


14.61 


87.09 


11 


15.00 


1.071 


16.05 


95 . 66 


12 


16.93 


1.109 


18.77 


111.9 


i;{ 


24 . 90 


1.063 


26.53 


158.0 


14 


17.98 


1.064 


19.13 


114.0 


1.) 


16.79 


1.125 


18.89 


112.5 


l(i 


15.58 


1 . 072 


16.70 


99.5 


17 


19.62 


1.046 


20 . 52 


122.3 


18 


19.23 


1.113 


21.42 


127.6 


1!) 


16.69 


1.113 


17.97 


107.1 


20 


14.00 


1.063 


14.91 


1 88 . 5 


21 


15.08 


.987 


14.88 


[88.7 


22 


13.83 


1.070 


14.79 


88.1 


2:$ 


13.49 


1.067 


14.39 


85.87 


24 


12.98 


1.042 


13.52 


80.5 


25 


13.65 


1.074 


14.66 


87.3 



CONGESTION AND MORTALITY 



207 



averaging the crude rates for each year 
as given in the Reports of the Registry 
Department, in Table III the total deaths 
for the i^eriod was divided by five and 
that number divided by the mean popula- 
tion of the ward, which seems the more 
accurate method for the purpose in hand. 

In Group I, Ward 4 is a striking ex- 
ception with a comparative mortality 
figure of 113.7 with all the rest below 
the standard 100. 

In Group II, the exceptions are Wards 
22 and 16, both below the standard, 
and in Group III, Wards 10 and 8 seem 
out of place. 

Ward 22, in Group 2, is just on the 
border line as to congestion of popula- 
tion and really belongs in group I. Plac- 
ing it there and averaging the groups, 
leaving out Wards 4, 8 and 10 for further 
consideration, we have an average death 
rate for Group I of 14.93 per 1,000, 
for Group II of 19.51 per 1,000 and for 
Group III of 21.34 per 1,000. 

Ward 4, although in Group I accord- 
ing to average persons per dwelling, by 



virtue of other conditions belongs with 
its neighbors Wards 3 and 5 in Charles- 
town, which are in Group II. This dis- 
trict contains a large porportion of un- 
skilled and casual laborers among whom 
the death rate is usually high. Much 
of the housing is old. The population 
is decreasing owing to the migration 
of the better class. 

Ward 10 is a lodging house section. 
In it may be found a large proportion 
of unmarried people frequently on the 
move, and many young married people 
recent comers from the rural sections 
of Massachusetts and other parts^ of 
our country, with the physical vigor 
incident to their former conditions of 
life. So although the average number 
of persons per dwelling is comparatively 
high, the conditions are favorable for 
a low death rate. 

Ward 8 is composed largely of Russian 
Jews and this race always and every 
where has a low death rate. A ward 
thus constituted is always an exception. 

A more minute division of the wards 



CHART III 




COMPARATIVE MORTALITY RATE 1901 1905 
Standardization for age and sex composition 



208 



NEW BOSTON 



TABLE IV 
WARDS ARRANGED ACCORDING TO AVERAGE PERSONS PER DWELLING 



(JROUP I 

5-7 persons per dwelling 


GROUP II 

8-9 persons per dwelling 


GROUP III 

10+ persons per dwelling 


Ward 


Corrected 
death 
rate 


Compara- 
tive mortal- 
ity figure 


Ward 


Corrected 

death 

rate 


Compara- 
tive mor- 
tality figure 


Corrected 
W^ard 1 death 
rate 


Compara- 
tive mor- 
tality figure 


25 

24 

23 

11 

4 

20 

21 

1 


14.66 
13.52 
14.39 
16.05 
18.99 
14.91 
14.88 
16.20 


87.30 
80.50 
85.80 
95.60 
113.70 
88.50 
88.70 
96.60 


22 
15 
14 
16 

3 
17 
18 

5 


14.79 

18.89 
19.13 
16.70 
19.37 
20.52 
21.42 
20.53 


88.10 
112.50 
114.00 

99.50 
115.40 
122.30 
127.60 
122.40 


12 
19 
13 
10 

2 
7 
9 
8 
6 


18.77 
17.97 
26.53 
14.61 
17.66 
27.44 
21.62 
15.89 
19.39 


111.90 
107.10 
158.00 

87.09 
105.20 
163.50 
128.90 

94.70 
115.50 



is desirable tor comparative purposes 
and the following table gives them ar- 
ranged in classes varying ten points each 
in comj)aralive mortality, with the aver- 
age death rate of this state, 1901 to 100a 
as 100. 

By this classification we have the 
most striking confirmation thus far 
ai)parent in our study, of the close con- 
nection between congestion and mor- 
tality. 

Class I, even including Ward 10, has 
the least congestion of any, and not in- 
cluding this ward the least density per 
acre also. 

Class II, omitting Ward 8, comes next 
both as to congestion and density of 
population. 

Class III advances in every ])articular 
as does also class IV. This class is 
abnormally high in congestion and density 
because of the presence of Ward G, which 
exceeds any other ward in congestion 
and is second only in density but has a 
rclativ(>ly low death rate owing in a great 
degree to the large numlier of sick Italians 
who return to Italy, to the general 
practice among Italian mothers of nurs- 
ing their bal)ies, and to the work of 
several nurseries, milk stations and the 
Floating Hospital. 

Cla.ss \' is slightly behind class l\ 
in congestion owing to the inclusion 
of Ward (i in the latter, but exceeds it 
in density, taking the lead in this regard. 

Classes ^T and \TI have no re])re- 
.sentatives but in class \TII we find Ward 
J 3 with a low density figure but with 



moderately high congestion and a very 
high death rate, — a death rate out of all 
proportion either to its congestion or 
density per acre showing that there are 
present other factors of great influence. 
The same is true of class IX comprising 
Ward 7. 

Wards 7 and 13 are the black spots 
on the map of Boston. These are the 
danger spots which demand serious con- 
sideration. And right here is the chief 
value of this paper. The crude rates 
of these wards were among the highest 
in the city but these were not conclusive, 
as such a statement is always open to 
the criticism that the wards might con- 
tain an unusual number of infants or 
of aged people and hence the high rate. 
But two different methods of standardiz- 
ing increase the crude rate, and the one 
used in this article puts them so far 
above all the other wards that with 
every possible allowance for inaccuracy 
in the census returns and in our esti- 
mate of the one year of age population, 
they are still l>lack, — deadly. 

The conviction is therefore forced 
upon us that there are other causes for 
high mortality as potent as congestion, 
and that congestion has effects indirect 
as well as direct. 

We find that the most congested sec- 
tions are the habitats of the poor, 
wiiile the least congested contain the 
abodes of the well-to-do and the rich. 
At the one extreme we have the results 
of ignorance, worry, casual labor, drink, 
abnormal excitement and vice as well 



CONGESTION AND MORTALITY 



209 



TABLE V 
Class I. Comparative Mortality Figure 80-89.9 

Persons per Density per Corrected 

Wards dwelling Acre death rate 

24 6.42 11.27 13.52 
23 6.42 32.38 14.39 

10 10.46 59.08 14.61 

25 .... 5.55 7.55 14.66 

22 8.0G 35.52 14.79 

20 7.40 21.86 14.91 

21 ;;;■'.'.;.'.;; ^ ;;;.'. ^ 7 . 67 39 . 82 14 . 88 

Average fi.99 24.73 14.53 

(With 10) 7.42 29.64 14.54 

Class II. 90-99.9 

8 15.93 181.76 15.89 

11 6.98 21.64 16.05 

1 7 78 20.49 16.20 

16 '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..'.'.'.'. 8.74 37.55 16.70 

Average 7.83 26.56 16.32 

Class III. 100-109.9 

2 8 96 44.80 17.66 

19 ';;■;■;;;■.;■.; ;/.'. ■. lo . 05 35 . 99 17 . 97 

Average 9.50 40.39 17.82 

Class IV. 110-119.9 

12 10.00 97.72 18.77 
\t 8.39 83.25 18.89 

I 6 99 43.27 18.99 

o 8 96 44.80 19.37 

14 8.62 57.20 19.13 

6 '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'■'.'.'.'.'.'■ 20 21 104.59 19.39 

Average 11.23 77.51 19.11 

(WUK):: 10.53 71.81 19.09 

Class V. 120-129.9 

17 9.23 58.99 20.52 

5 9.96 65.92 20.53 

IQ 9 64 102.36 21.42 

9 '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'■'. 12.66 127.10 21.62 

Average 10-38 88.59 21.02 



Cf. Mortality 

80.50 
85.80 
87.09 
87.30 
88.10 
88.50 
88.70 



86.48 
86.55 



94.72 
95.66 
96.60 
99.50 

97 . 25 



105.20 
107.10 

106.20 



111.90 
112.50 
113.70 
115.40 
114.00 
115.50 

113.90 
113.80 



122.30 
122.40 
127.60 
128.90 

125.30 



Class VI. 130-139.9 



Class VII. 140-149.9 



13 



Class VIII. 150-159.9 

10.18 37.26 



26.53 



158.00 



Class IX. 160-169 

7 12.18 39.00 

Chart 3 is a graphic representation of this table. 



27.44 



163.50 



210 



NEW BOSTON 



as poor air and little sunlight. At the 
other extreme we have comfortable 
living with plenty of nourishing food, 
more or less steady employment at a 
good salary or weekly wage, with a fair 
proportion living in luxury. Here we 
find plenty of air and sunlight, time 
for recreation and relief, to a great 
extent, from that anxiety which more 
than toil, wears the human frame. Be- 
tween these two extremes we find these 
various elements in varying proportion. 
Surely the problem is not so simple 
as to some it might appear. 

What effect has congestion of popula- 
tion on mortality.f* That depends. Crude 
statistics do not tell. The Jews seem 
to thrive where the Italians and Irish 
fall easy prey to tuberculosis and other 
diseases. Congestion, within certain 
limits, is not necessarily destructive, 
but it tends to degeneration, physical 
and moral and registers its effect most 
noticeably on the second and third gen- 
erations. It is easy to be healthy under 
certain conditions while exceedingly dif- 
ficult under others. With congestion 
are found a multitude of other elements 
making it very hard to live a wholesome 
life, but just here drift and are cast the 
people least able to resist and rise. It 
may be possible for a race to be evolved 
through the law of natural selection and 



survival which will be immune to slum 
life, but to what advantage unless it 
can be shown that slum life is essential 
to social progress and that the race, 
thus evolved, will be the one compelled 
to live in such conditions.'* But if con- 
gestion beyond the point of wholesome 
living is not essential then it behooves 
society to find a remedy for existing con- 
ditions and to make it possible for the 
mass of mankind to live reasonably de- 
cent, human lives. 

In the light of this conclusion, what 
of the answer to the question with which 
we began: "What would be the result 
were we to transpose the housing con- 
ditions of the tenement dwellers and those 
of the suburban sections .f*" and we are 
forced to believe that the ignorant and 
degenerate would continue to have a 
high death rate and soon degrade their 
new conditions, whereas the cultured 
and well-to-do would in large measure 
adapt themselves to their crowded 
quarters and soon transform them to 
conform to their standard of life in other 
respects. 

The ignorant, then, must be taught; 
the unfortunate must be helped, and 
the diseased, physically and morally, 
must be put on the high road to recovery 
or prevented from propagating their 
kind. 



Milwaukee's Auditorium Building 



JOSEPH C. GRIEB 



The movement to provide Milwaukee 
with a commodious auditorium received 
its inception in 190'>, when the Mer- 
chants and Manufacturers' Association 
appointed a committee of business men 
to consider the subject and advise upon 
a suitable course of action. While the 
desirability of a good convention hall 
was generally recognized, the actual 
necessity for such a structure became 
more apparent with the burning of the 
old exposition building. This awakened 
the public mind to the fact that the city 



was without any building for gatherings 
of an unusual size. 

The question of erecting a suitable 
convention hall, or series of convention 
halls, that would accommodate large 
and small gatherings, involving an ex- 
pense of nearly half a million dollars 
presented difficulties. It was not likely 
that such a sum could readily be raised 
by private subscription, nor was it 
deemed probable that the numicipality 
would furnish the needed money. 

The solution, it was believed, could 



MILWAUKEE'S AUDITORIUM BUILDING 



211 




AUDITORIUM ANNEX 



be found in some arrangement by which 
the city and the pubhc could join hands 
in providing the necessary means. A 
measure was framed under the direction 
of the committee and enacted into law 
by the legislature in June, 1905, which 
authorized "cities of the first class to 
provide for the erection and mainte- 
nance of auditoriums and music halls 
by co-operating with private associations 
or corporations." 

It was decided to raise $250,000 by 
private subscriptions and ask the muni- 
cipality to vote an equal sum, thus pro- 
viding a total building fund of $500,000. 
A campaign committee consisting of 
twenty-five active citizens was chosen to 
secure the subscription fund which was 
completed by the fall of 1906. The 
bond issue, providing for the city's 
portion of the fund, was voted and the 
Common Council perfected the jointure 
with the so-called Auditorium Company, 
which had been organized in the mean- 
time and which represented the citizens 
who had subscribed to the private fund. 

The law under which the jointure was 
made providetl that the construction, 
maintenance and management of the 
auditorium should be entrusted to five 
directors representing the private cor- 
poration and six city officials represent- 
ing the municipality, the entire body 



comprising a governing board of eleven 
members. 

The task of securing $250,000 by 
private subscription, was by no means 
easy. Never in the history of the city 
had the attempt been made to raise 
so large a sum of money in this manner 
and it was deemed problematical whether 
it could be accomplished. The en- 
thusiasts were willing to try. 

The plan of operations w^as in the 
main confined to the leading merchants 
and manufacturers and those generally 
known as public-spirited citizens. Here 
it developed that the scheme was too 
limited in scope in that it confined it- 
self largely to a class of men who are 
usually called upon for financial aid of 
a public character. The response from 
this source was as generous as could be 
expected, but it was far from reaching 
the required amount. 

In making up the personnel of the 
committee it was the idea to represent 
as far as possible the several commercial, 
industrial and civic bodies of the city. 
Every man was either at the head of 
one of these associations or else identified 
in some manner with movements of a 
jniblic character. The Federated Trades 
Council was requested to name a rep- 
resentative to be placed upon the au- 
ditorium committee, as it was deemed 



212 



NEW BOSTON 



most fitting that all interests should be 
represented, but that organization de- 
clined to participate. 

The plan that gained favor with the 
committee was to make the sul)scription 
effort popular. Every section of the 
city was to be invaded by solicitors, 
every interest was to be drawn into 
active service. A camj^aign embracing 
this plan was outlined and subsequently 
worked out in detail. It provided for 
sub-committees in every ward and a 
complete list of the citizens and tax- 
payers who were able to give financial 
assistance. The several sub-committees 
organized themselves into squads of 
solicitors which invaded the residence 
districts as well as the commercial and 
industrial centers. Meetings were held 
in the several wards, addresses were 
made and every effort was put forth to 
stimulate interest and enthusiasm all 
along the line. 

In order to arouse a pojjular sentiment 
on the part of the public, the active 
interest of the press was enlisted. Shriek- 
ing whistles, clanging bells from the 
towers of the city, displays of fireworks, 
and boom of cannon were employed, 
when the so-called "auditorium cam- 
paign" was opened. 

The arduous task which followed was 
simply the persistent effort to raise 
money. The committee and its solicitors 
went boldly to the front. No rebuke 
daunted them, no "miserly turn down" 
discouraged them. Every day they 
appeared upon the scene fresh, strong 
and confident. Every day added to 
the total, which crept from $72,250 to 
$210,000, to $220,000, until the coveted 
sum of $250,000 was reached. 

The committee rejected all catch 
penny schemes for raising money. These 
were urged upon all sides and included 
the sale of buttons, bean-guessing con- 
tests and basel)all games in ballet cos- 
tumes, in fact, every imaginable form of 
amusement through which money might 
be raised. The auditorium committee 
adopted the fixed j)olicy that every 
dollar should be raised through a legiti- 
mate subscrii)tion method. It adhered 
strictly to this j)olicy until the subscrip- 
tion list was not only fully subscribed, 
but also liberally over-subscribed — at 
least sufficiently over-subscribed to fully 
make up all lapses liable to occur. 



In securing plans for the auditorium 
the board determined to open the con- 
test to the architects of the country at 
large. A program, embodying the essen- 
tial features of the proposed structure, 
was prepared. One thousand architects, 
covering practically all parts of the 
country, were invited to compete. The 
cost of the building was not to exceed 
$450,000, thus providing a reserve of 
$50,000, to be used for equipment and 
furnishings and to cover possible emer- 
gencies in increased expenditures of an 
unavoidable character. The program 
was submitted to several impartial experts 
for examination. It was also determined 
as an incentive to all enterprising ar- 
chitects, to offer prizes for the four best 
plans submitted in their order of merit, 
as follows: First prize, $1,000; second 
prize, $750; third prize, $500; fourth 
prize, $250. 

Twelve sets of jjlans were received. 
In order to exert absolute impartiality 
all plans were to be submitted without 
names or marks of any kind to indicate 
their authors. Sealed envelopes bearing 
the names of the architect were to 
accompany the plans. Every plan and 
envelope so received was numbered. 

The plans that were accorded the first 
prize embodied in the largest measure 
the utilitarian features sought in an 
auditorium building. While the ex- 
terior was deemed a factor in determin- 
ing the choice, a greater weight was 
given to interior serviceability. The 
award of the first prize did not neces- 
sarily im})ly the use of the firm's plans, 
but the committee adopted them for 
the building. 

It is not claiming too much to hold 
that Milwaukee possesses one of the 
model convention halls of the world. 
It has all the requirements necessary 
for a large and commodious auditorium — 
ample seating capacity and perfect ap- 
pointments, accessibility and adapt- 
ability, absolute safety, requisite stage 
and stage facilities, complete accessories 
in the way of w^ardrobes, toilets, tele- 
graph and telephone, storage accom- 
modations with ample provision for 
exhibition space, banquet and assembly 
halls, a market hall, committee and re- 
tiring rooms. 

The underlying thought in planning 
this auditorium was to provide a build- 



MILWAUKEE'S AUDITORIUM BUILDING 



213 




MAIN HALL ARRANGED FOR BAND CONCERTS 



ing which would serve satisfactorily 
the most diversified uses; one that would 
readily adapt itself to meet all the 
possible requirements for large and small 
conventions, industrial exhibitions, mass 
concerts, public meetings, religious ser- 
vices, grand balls, horse shows, etc. 

The auditorium possesses the distinct 
and unique feature of being readily 
usable either as one monster hall, 
furnishing all accommodations that may 
be required for any purpose, or of being 
divided into smaller halls, each one of 
which is complete in itself and has all 
desirable conveniences. It is so arranged 
that as many as seven separate meetings 
may be held at- one time without any 
inconvenience or interference. 

The auditorium occupies the entire 
square between Fifth and Sixth, Cedar 
and State streets and forms the nucleus 
for the projected civic center of the city. 

The building consists of two wings. 
The west wing contains the main 
auditorium with entrance seventy-eight 
feet wide on Cedar street, and with an 
additional entrance on Fifth street. 



The Annex or East Wing contains 
five smaller halls which are named 
Juneau, Kilbourn, Engelmann, Plankin- 
ton and Rehearsal halls. 

The element of safety was pre-eminent 
in the minds of the planners. The build- 
ing is constructed entirely of re-inforced 
concrete and steel with brick exterior. 
Special study was made to secure ac- 
cessibility, convenience in arrangement, 
good acoustic qualities and first-class 
lighting and heating. The safety, conveni- 
ence and comfort of audiences is assured. 

The main auditorium is constructed 
without a single pillar or post to obstruct 
the view. Its ceiling is dome shaped; 
the girders supporting it are entirely 
hidden by the plastered ceiling. The 
hall is sixty-five feet high from floor to 
ceiling. The main entrance is seventy- 
eight feet wide leading through nine double 
doors from which a grand promenade 
twelve feet wide diverges, encircling 
the entire hall. 

The largest gatherings can be readily 
admitted and discharged safely and 
expeditiously by the many means of 



214 



NEW BOSTON 



ingress and egress from all sides. In- 
clines at an easy grade are provided 
throughout in place of staircases. Sep- 
arate entrances are provided for the 
balcony and the basement. 

The main auditorium is located on the 
ground floor and is constructed in am- 
phitheater style. It covers a ground 
area of 330 by 180 feet. Its main floor, 
oval in shape, contains a concrete floored 
arena 225 feet long and 100 feet wide. 

When this hall is used for large public 
gatherings, seating is provided in the 
arena by means of portable chairs. A 
temporary wooden floor is laid when the 
hall is used for dancing. 

Surrounding the arena are sixty-two 
boxes. Immediately back of these are 
the inclined parquet seats, above which 
is the balcony. All parts of the hall 
may be reached from the street without 
ascending stairs, through the use of 
the wide inclined planes. 

A twelve-foot arcade surrounds the 
oval contour of the building. Flanking 
the arcade and directly under the parquet 



seats are twenty-one booths, each twenty- 
two feet wide, fourteen feet deep and 
seven feet six inches high. These booths 
are especially valuable for exhibition 
and sale purposes and readily lend them- 
selves to subdivision and to effective 
display. Check stands necessary on 
the occasion of important balls and 
similar events are installed here. The 
wardrobe of the largest audience is cared 
for with ease and safety. Each booth 
is provided with independent telephone 
connection. 

Two lounging rooms, twenty-eight 
by thirty-two feet, with sliding door 
openings to the arcade in the main au- 
ditorium and main corridor in annex, 
are provided on both sides of the grand 
stair hall. 

The capacity for seating is made 
flexible so that it can be arranged to 
meet the varying demands on the hall 
and may be adapted to suit every re- 
quirement. From 5,000 to 10,000 persons 
can be comfortably cared for. 

A permanent stage is provided, sixty- 




STAGE END OF MAIN HALL 



MILWAUKEE'S AUDITORIUM BUILDING 



215 



eight feet wide, fifty-five feet deep and 
thirty feet high at the proscenium 
opening. 

The main entrance to the annex is 
through a vestibule forty-five feet wide, 
opening into a rotunda fifty-five feet deep. 
This rotunda is carried through two 
stories and has a spacious balcony on east 
and west sides. It leads into the grand 
stair hall, 105 feet wide and forty-five feet 
deep. Double stairways are provided 
at each side to the second floor. There 
is also a spacious passenger elevator. 

On each floor are installed two large 
halls suitable for banquets, exhibitions 
and musical entertainments. Plankinton 
hall is equipped with an orchestral organ. 

Public gatherings and assemblages 
are as essential to the educational, social 
and political development of a modern 
people as they were to the civilization 



of old. A progressive community not 
only recognizes this, but provides ade- 
quate facilities for the proper housing 
of such gatherings. During the past 
year Milwaukee has experienced a mar- 
velous development in its commercial 
and industrial interests. Its needs in 
certain directions, like every modern 
and progressive city, have grown with 
every successful stage of development. 
What might have served its purpose 
twenty-five years ago may be deemed 
wholly inadequate for present exigencies. 
The cities of the country have awakened 
to the value of conventions, not only 
because they enhance the commercial 
interests of the locality in which they 
meet, but also because they have a 
tendency to radiate a wholesome in- 
fluence on the intellectual growth of 
the people. 




MAIN HALL ARRANGED FOR MASS CONCERTS 



Thirty-seven Years' Progress in Social Reform 



ALEXANDER JOHNSON 

Secretary National Conference of Charities and Correction 



There must certainly be something 
useful as well as vigorous in a body 
which finds itself, after an existence of 
more than a third of a century, rai)idly 
growing in size and growing still more 
rapidly in influence and ])ublic estima- 
tion. The National Conference of Chari- 
ties and Correction is such a body. On 
May the 26th it closed its thirty-seventh 
annual session in St. Louis, Mo., to 
meet next June in Boston, Mass. Its 
attendance this year was the largest of 
any conference held in the West and the 
largest held anywhere except the record- 
breaking one in Philadelphia in 1906. 
The spirit of the thirty-seventh session 
was of the best. Fraternity, sympathy 
and mutual helpfulness seemed to be 
in the air and to permeate every meet- 
ing. The interest in the proceedings, 
not only of the members, but of a large 
body of St. Louisans, was unabated 
from the opening address of the presi- 
dent, Jane Addams, of Chicago, on 
Charity and Social Justice, to the last 
session, which was given to law-breakers. 

The history of the conference since 
it began, as a committee of the Social 
Science Association in 1874, has been 
parallel with the history of the ])rogress 
of social thought and effort. It l)egan 
to study problems of charity and ])un- 
ishment cliiefly as they are affairs of 
government. Its first members were 
nearly all officers or members of public 
boards of some kind. For more than 
twenty years no one was elected presi- 
dent unless he was a member or a secre- 
tary of a state board of charities. The 
first break of this tradition was when 
Robert Treat Paine of Boston was 
elected president of the conference which 
met in New Haven in 189.5. 

In 1874 the wonderful spread of 
l)hilanthr()i)ic endeavor, with which we 
are familiar today, was only in the be- 
ginning. The charity organization 
movement had not crossed the ocean. 



The education of the feeble-minded was 
begun in a few states, but its possibilities, 
by the colony plan, were not thought of. 
We had heard of the great epileptic vil- 
lage of Bielefeld, but no American state 
was giving the epileptics special care. 
The social settlement was unknown to 
American cities. The care of dependent 
children was almost wholly institu- 
tional, although the New York Chil- 
dren's Aid Society had begun sending 
street waifs, in carload lots, to the 
western prairies, where a wonderfully 
large proportion of them turned out 
well. We talked in the early conference 
of preventive work for children and by 
that we meant the work in reform schools 
or houses of refuge, which began to treat 
them after they had been injured, often 
irretrievably, by bad environment or 
other evil influences. 

Prison reform was just beginning, but 
the indeterminate sentence, reforma- 
tories for adults, parole, etc., were 
popularly misunderstood and considered 
to be the fads of weak sentimentalists. 
Juvenile courts and probation were a 
quarter century away. 

Consumers' leagues, playground asso- 
ciations, civic associations, juvenile pro- 
tective associations were all unknown. 
Some little attention had lieen paid to 
the need of housing reform, but the first 
prize in a competition for a model tene- 
ment plan for New York city had re- 
cently been awarded to the creator of 
the now infamous "dumb-bell" plan. 
The germ theory of disease was ignored 
by the majority of physicians and was 
the subject of cheap wit in the news- 
papers, and the campaign against tu- 
berculosis had not been thought of. 

Almost every almshouse in the land 
had its group of child inmates, growing 
up to continue the pauper tradition, 
among a heterogeneous mass of social 
derelicts, insane, idiotic, epileptic, dis- 
eased, worn-out veterans of labor and 



THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS' PROGRESS IN SOCIAL REFORM 217 



exhausted veterans of vice. Most of 
the county jails were then, as alas too 
many of them are today, fittingly de- 
scribed as connnon schools of vice and 
recruiting stations for the army of pro- 
fessional criminals. The theory of the 
supervision of all public institutions of 
charity or correction by some non- 
partisan board of people, selected be- 
cause of public spirit, intelligence and 
high personal character, was just be- 
ginning to spread, some six or seven 
such boards existing in as many states. 
Civil service reform had been begun 
in the federal service but was treated 
with scorn and contempt by all practical 
politicians, and no city or state govern- 
ment had adopted the plan. Guards 
in prisons, physicians, nurses, attendants, 
teachers in almost all public institu- 
tions, were appointed chiefly, if not 
solely for political reasons. An atten- 
dant on the insane, whose wages were 
$30 per month, estimated that half this 
amount w^as for the work he was doing 
in the hospital ward and half for what 
he had done before election, in the city 
ward where he lived, and governed 
himself accordingly. 

Child labor and excessive woman 
labor, were almost, or quite unchecked. 
Good people helped the widow with her 
family of orphans, by giving her work to 
do and sending her children to an or- 
phans' home. Or they let her sleep with 
them, going out to work by the day, and 
finding work for each child as soon as 
he was old enough to make his way 
alone to the factory or sweat-shop. 

Many of the terms we now use so 
familiarly would have needed a glossary 
in 1874. "Friendly visitor," "child 
placing," "fresh air work," "city plan- 
ning," "child study," "child saving," 
"standard of living," "industrial acci- 
dents," "occupational disease," "em- 
ployer's liability," "constructive philan- 
thropy," even, "social worker" itself, 
would have required explanation. Five 
years later, in 1879, a leading news- 
paper in Philadelphia, said editorially 
that no one should be paid for doing 
charity work, unless he would otherwise 
be an object of charity himself, and the 
editor merely voiced the public opinion. 
The social consciousness was just waken- 
ing, but no one then seemed to foresee 



how it would shortly develop into that 
social conscience which is the great 
compelling force of the present day. 

Looking backward thirty-seven years, 
and comparing with the present, we see 
that the change has been wonderful, 
that the progress has been real and great. 
It is true that many of the things we 
have mentioned as objectionable, still 
exist in many places, that no reform 
has been complete or if it has, has failed 
to leave something undesirable behind 
it. But it is also true that not one of 
the social or governmental evils we have 
mentioned but has been eliminated or 
vastly diminished in some places, and 
some of them are now rarely found 
anywhere. 

x\nd yet "we count not ourselves to 
have attained." The best thing of the 
progress we have made is the assurance 
that it gives us promise of greater prog- 
ress in the future. Much has been done 
and more remains to do. When we 
count our success we thank God and take 
courage and go on. 

Now not even the blindest and most 
prejudicial admirer of the National Con- 
ference of Charities and Correction would 
claim for it all, or a large part, of the 
credit for the progress we can see on 
every hand in charities and correction, 
nor that a very similar development 
would not have occurred if the conference 
had never existed. But it is fair to 
claim that few social reforms have failed 
to receive both stimulus and help from 
the conference, that some social efforts 
have found their initiative at its meetings, 
that all who have accepted its generous 
invitation have found a hospitable wel- 
come and an appreciative and influential 
audience. 

It is fair to claim that no other agency 
has had equal results in the spread of 
knowledge concerning charities and cor- 
rection, and the cultivation of right 
sentiment among the j)eople as this 
national conference. Nowhere else has 
the spirit of mutual helpfulness, the 
sympathy with one another's work that 
often helps more than material aid, 
been so prevalent. This latter is indeed 
the distinguishing feature of the con- 
ference. There are wide differences of 
opinion among its members. Every shade 
of every opinion is welcome, is indeed 



218 NEW BOSTON 

most urgently desired. The conference ference is in town, is really more worth 
does not decide any question for you, while than any verbal conclusions of 
it gives you the facts and the arguments opinion. Inspiration, enlightenment, 
and tells you to decide for yourself, brotherhood — these are what the Con- 
or, perhaps, to suspend judgment until ference stands for. Because it stands 
more facts are known. for them and because it never counts 
But the fine sentiment of brotherly heads nor decides questions by a majority 
charity which prevails when the con- vote, it is strong, enduring, useful. 



Suggestions Regarding Boston's Health Needs 



The following suggestions were pre- factory employes of Worcester county to 

pared for the use of the Boston-1915 be responsible for the sickness-expenses 

Health Conference. As they relate wholly of any of their employes who may be 

to Boston and her needs, they are not to found to be tuberculous, 

be regarded as an attempt to construct a A typhoid "carrier" is a person w^ho 

public health program for any other place constantly or intermittently excretes the 

or time. The Worcester plan for the germs of typhoid fever and is therefore a 

restriction of tuberculosis referred to source of infection and a danger to the 

under two, is an agreement by the larger public. 

1. Statistics: 

(a) Birth — returns not prompt enough. 
(h) Morbidity — very unsatisfactory. 
(r) Mortality — satisfactory. 

2. Control of Infectious and Contagious Diseases: 

(a) Scarlet Fever — Hospital accommodation and home isolation insufficient. 

(b) Diphtheria — Hospital accommodation and home isolation insufficient. 
(f) Measles — Hospital accommodation and home isolation insufficient. 

(d) W'hooping Cough — Hospital accommodation and home isolation insuffi- 
cient. 

(e) Syphilis — No hospital accommodations without the stigma of pauperism. 

(f) Gonorrhoea — No hospital accommodations without the stigma of pauperism. 
ig) Gonorrhoeal Ojjhthalmia — To decrease preventable blindness further legis- 
lation is called for. 

Hospitals, through their staffs, should make sure that none of their patients 
give or acquire venereal disease merely because of ignorance. 

{h) Typhoid — "Carriers" should not be allowed to engage in any occupation 
in\olving the handling or preparation of food. All who deal with cases of 
typhoid should be vaccinated against it. Typhoid should be isolated. 

{i) Leprosy — Present expense incurred by state is not justified as the disease 
is very feebly contagious. 

(j) Tuberculosis — Isolation of advanced cases is the chief need. 

1 The Worcester City plan should be adopted in Boston. 

2 Central registration of all known cases is an obvious need. 

3 Intensive study of a few small areas should be made in search of infected 
houses. 

3. School Hygiene: 

(a) Medical iiisi)ection of schools not satisfactory; in some schools a farce. 

(b) Schools should l)e built on edges of {)arks. 

(c) The "out-door room" plan initiated by the present School Committee at 



SUGGESTIONS REGARDING BOSTON'S HEALTH NEEDS 219 

the advice of its director of hygiene should be fully carried out and gradually 
applied to all school children. 
(d) Yearly physical examination of all school children before promotion should 
be introduced as soon as practicable. 

4. Industrial Hygiene: 

(o) Some plan of automatic insurance or compensation for accidents should be 
worked out. 

(b) Shop clinics and factory clinics should be multiplied. 

(c) Child labor laws can be strengthened. 

(d) Relief should be given to working women before and after child birth. 

(e) Education of employes in dangers of certain trades and in methods of 
avoidance is advisable. 

5. Food Supply: 

The Board of Health needs larger appropriations for inspection of markets, 
bakeries, slaughter houses, fish wharves, and milk supplies. 

6. Infant Mortality: 

(a) Preventive clinics and nurses for care of pregnant women and healthy 

babies. Encouragement of breast feeding. 
(&) Regulation of midwives. 



V. 



Control of Vermin and Insects : 

(a) Public education regarding the spread of disease by rats, flies, mosquitoes, 

bed bugs, ticks and fleas. 
(6) Garbage disposal— a factor in the prevention of vermin and insects. 

8. Alcoholism and Its Decrease Through: 

(o) Education — in and out of school. 

(6) Industrial regulations. 

(c) Better provisions for public recreation. 

{d) More rational treatment of alcoholics in courts, prisons and hospitals, 

9. Home Hygiene and the Housing Problem: 

(a) The Board of Health needs larger appropriations for inspections. 
(6) Congestion of Wards 6 and 8 should if possible be relieved. 

10. The More Adequate Use of Playgrounds: 

Necessity of closer connection between schools and playgrounds. 

11. Fourth of July Accidents: 

The restrictive legislation recently passed by the General Court should be made 
more stringent if it does not prove effective. 

12. Quacks, patent medicines, advertisements and other agencies designed to produce 
disease should be discouraged: 

(a) By strict enforcement of existing laws. 

{h) By increasing the requirements for a license to practice medicine, — practi- 
cal as w^ell as written examinations by the state. 

13. Marriage of epileptics, of two deaf persons and of feeble minded persons should 
be forbidden in Massachusetts. 

14. Bacteriological Laboratory: 

(a) As a laboratory aid in diagnoses for physicians it is now very satisfactory. 
lb) Research work: admirable, but the laboratory has not sufficient force and 
time to expand into greater usefulness. 



NEW BOSTON 



The research laboratory of the Board of Health of the city of New York has saved that 
city many millions of dollars, and has greatly increased the efBciency and economic 
administration of the IJoard of Health through research work upon the problems with 
which the city health officers must deal. 

15. Epidemiology: 

The progress of disease should be studied by a trained epidemiologist. The city 
Board of Health is best situated for making such studies of all the com- 
municable diseases prevailing here. 

10. Education: 

It has become the duty of the Board of Health to help educate the community in 
public health matters, and to guide the jiublic press in this direction. This 
may be accomplished through pamphlets, lectures, exhibits, as is done in 
Chicago and St. Louis. 

[Beginning with the October number of NEW BOSTON will appear a S2ries of articles amplifying certain points 
of the above syllabus. The first article by Dr. Richard C. Cabot will be on Prompt Birth Returns — the Prime 
Need and Foundation for Public Health Works. Ed.) 



Planning Undeveloped City Areas 



NELSON P. LEWIS, 

Chief Engineer, Board of Estimate and Apportionment, New York City. 



In all cities the older portions have 
grown from small beginnings, and the 
street plan has been the result of chance. 
Occasionally a city is created upon a site 
deliberately chosen, as for instance, Wash- 
ington. In such cases an opj^ortunity is 
offered to create a plan peculiarly adapted 
to the special development in mind. 
There are a few other instances in this 
country where the future possibilities ap- 
pear to have been realized. Indianapolis 
and Detroit might be mentioned. In 
New York city, the commission created 
in 1807 to prepare a street plan failed 
entirely to anticipate the future growth. 
This commission appeared to believe that 
the chief traffic would be across the island 
from the North River to the East River, 
and therefore, east and west streets were 
laid out with only two hundred feet inter- 
vening, while the north and .south avenues 
were jjlaced from seven hundred to nine 
hundred feet apart. The values of real 
estate having become enormous, it is now 
impracticable to correct mistakes in this 
original j)lan within reasonable limits of 
expenditure. 

A characteristic feature of most Ameri- 
can cities is the lack of important diagonal 



streets leading to some definite point of 
interest. These diagonals need not be 
long, or straight for their entire distance, 
but different sections of them should be 
free from deflections. This is the charm 
of Washington and of Paris. One may 
follow the numerous diagonal streets in 
either of these capitals and be quite sure 
of reaching some point of interest. While 
it is often impossible to correct mistakes 
of planning within practicable limits of 
expense, there are few cities where con- 
ditions cannot be improved. 

In many American cities additions have 
been made by extension of the city limits 
or by consolidation with other cities. 
Erequently these additions have been ex- 
ploited by the suburban developer. They 
are often so limited in area that it is 
difficult to do anything but extend the 
city plan over them. It occasionally hap- 
pens that an extension of the city limits 
will include a number of centers of ])0])ti- 
lation, and that these are disconnected 
and could be absorbed in a larger city 
l)lan without serious detriment. Areas 
of this kind are almost invariably trav- 
ersed by highways which follow natural 
lines of traffic. They should be made the 



Furnished by The Survey Press Bureau. 



PLANNING UNDEVELOPED CITY AREAS 



2^1 



controlling features of the city plan. 
They are generally of the ordinary coun- 
try road width. This will be totally 
inadequate but they are usually allowed 
to remain until they have been so built 
up as to make a widening expensive. 

What then, is the logical method of 
procedure? The first thing is to deter- 
mine the relative position of the different 
parts of the new territory. It will then 
be possible to proceed with mapping in 
widely separated sections with a positive 
knowledge of the relation of the street 
lines in one section to those in another. 
The next thing which will demand atten- 
tion is the system of existing roads. 
There was, and is, a good reason for these. 
These roads shoukl form the skeleton of 
our future street system. Often it will be 
necessary to straighten them, and in all 
cases to widen them. In the writer's 
judgment they should be not less than 
one hundred feet in width, and in some 
instances even wider. In the case of these 
latter if the old road has good shade trees, 
the original highway can probably be 
preserved for pleasure driving, while an- 
other section can be reserved for railroad 
tracks, and, perhaps, still another for 
automobiles. 

These old roads may have been nearly 
paralled or approximately radial, while 
the cross connections may have been 
infrequent or unimproved. They must 
therefore be carefully considered. They 
should be straight between the parallel or 
radial highways wherever possible. 

When these controlling streets have 
been definitely determined, we need not 
worry about filling in the spaces between. 
Whether it would be advantageous to 
have the intervening spaces treated in a 
uniform manner, is questionable. Here, 
where the topography suggests it, a ser- 
pentine system of streets may be laid out ; 
there, a generous depth of lots, with space 



for gardens may be provided; here, again, 
we may find a group of narrower streets 
compactly built u|) with secluded courts 
and small houses fronting upon a little 
})lot of grass. 

No reference has yet been made to a 
system of parks and playgrounds. The 
policy of most of our cities has been to 
defer the selection of park sites until the 
necessity for parks has l)ecome apparent. 
Meanwhile, the adoption of a street plan 
has converted acreage property into city 
lots with a great increase in value. If 
there is a particular bit of woodland, an 
elevation with a commanding outlook, or 
even a piece of low-lying land traversed 
by a stream, which have not yet been cut 
up into building lots, they can be most 
advantageously set aside as future parks. 
These reservations should be scattered so 
that there will be some open space within 
walking distance of every resident. These 
parks should be connected by adecjuate 
roadways, not necessarily straight or even 
of uniform width, but contracted where 
the topography would involve expensive 
construction and again expanded. In a 
territory such as we have been considering 
it may be useless to speak of the grouping 
of public buildings, for the important 
municipal centers have already been 
established. There are, however, minor 
public buildings, such as schools, libraries, 
public baths and comfort stations, police 
stations and fire houses, and it would be 
most desirable to set aside here and there 
what might be termed "municipal blocks," 
upon which these buildings could be 
grouped in a very effective manner. The 
writer knows of no instance of the formu- 
lation and execution of a policy such as 
has been outlined, but it appears to be so 
reasonable and logical that it is a matter 
of surprise that the problem of making a 
city plan has never been undertaken in 
this manner. 




"I never beg. I open opportunities for 
generosity," said President Harper. The 
Milk and Baby Hygiene Association of 
Boston has issued "appeals" and perhaps 



it has come near to begging for the sup- 
port it needs and should have. Now it 
faces the citizens and opens to them a 
frank and present opportunity for gener- 



NEW BOSTON 



osity. If they do not take it the work 
must stop and the stations, with two 
exceptions, be closed. The Denison and 
the South Boston Stations have s])ecial 
funds ])ehind them sufficient for a few 
months. The research is separately fin- 
anced. Unless Boston now wakes up to 
this situation and provides the minimum 
budget of $13,000 still unmet, it will soon 
have to speak in the past tense of the 
civic source concerning which Dr. Charles 
W. Townsend recently wrote : "The Milk 
and Baby Hygiene Association, with its 
milk distributing stations and especially 
its corps of nurses and physicians, is, in 
my opinion, doing the best and most 
economical work in the saving of infants' 
lives in Boston. The influence of the 
Milk Stations is an ever widening one, and 
through the education given, reaches far 
beyond the mere distribution of the milk. 
The public may feel assured that any con- 
tributions to this charity will be well 
spent." 

Readers of NEW BOSTON may have 
wondered at the combination title of the 
Milk and Baby Hygiene Association. 
Titles should be descriptive and the titled 
should try to live up to the description. 
Many social workers, including the doc- 
tors and dispensary nurses, who fre- 
quently call upon the Association for help 
for some baby who is crying to them, 
speak of it as the "Babies Milk" society. 
They know that at its ten stations good 
milk can be had and that if people live 
out of reach of the stations the "human- 
ized" cows' milk for babies will be deli^ - 
ered at a slight additional cost. They 
know that the nurses from the stations 
will go to the baby's home day by day 
and teach and drill the mother in the 
lessons of care and hygiene which will 
insure the baby's life and health. Prin- 
cipals of high schools know that the Asso- 
ciation conducts classes for senior girls on 
the care and feeding of children and even- 
ing classes for fathers. The work of the 
eighteen weekly classes or conferences for 
mothers and well babies, which are taught 
by as many generous young physicians, 
is more widely known. But why have 
milk in this title? ^Yell, milk hygiene is 
the association's work for all the people 
big and little and it is its service to all of 



the babies who do not go to its ten sta- 
tions. 

The aggressive campaign against 
"loose" milk has been treated at length 
in New Boston. The demand made in 
the association's first report that there be 
a state standard of milk and dairy inspec- 
tion and of qualifications of inspectors 
was answered by the appointment of a 
state commission of five for the purpose 
of drawing up such standard regulations. 
Mr. Ellis, the association's president and 
Dr. Rosenau its vice-president are mem- 
bers of this commission. 

Milk hygiene is the subject of a scien- 
tific research which the association has 
established at the Laboratory of Preven- 
tive Medicine and Hygiene at Harvard 
Medical School. This research is to be 
carried on for the next three years by 
Dr. E. H. Schorer, formerly of Johns Hop- 
kins University and the Rockefeller Insti- 
tute. It is financed by special gifts from 
milk and dairy improvement interests in 
Boston, New York and Washington. 

But unless Boston now wakes up to the 
situation of the parent association the 
important connection between the field 
work of the stations and the laboratory 
is sure to be lost by the necessity of 
abandoning the field. Contributions 
should be sent to Arthur H. Brooks, treas- 
urer, 53 State Street, Boston. 

Cost of Government in Des Moines 

The first report of the city officials 
of Des Moines, la., since the adoption 
of the commission form of government, 
shows the per capita cost of administra- 
tion, based on a population of 100,000: 

Main- Improve- 

tenance ment Total 

General government .. . $ .61 $ .01 $ .62 
Protection of life and 

property 2.. 35 .12 2.47 

Health and Sanitation. . .30 .23 .53 

Highways 1 .48 1 .08 2.56 

Libraries .14 .18 .32 

Recreation .18 .40 .58 

Miscellaneous .13 ... .13 

Cemeteries .16 .05 .21 

Public Debt: 

Interest .33 ... .33 

Principal ... .05 .05 

Outstanding debt obli- 
gations 1 . 76 ... 1 . 76 

$7.44 $2.12 $9.56 



NEW BOSTON 



To Set You Thinking 



When a manufacturer finally decides 
to plunge into an experimental one-year 
publicity campaign under the guidance 
of a reputable agency, he is due for 
an entirely different point of view, which, 
no matter how well posted he may be 
in his particular line, will open his mind 
to actual conditions which he never 
dreamed existed. 

For example, the advertising agent 
approaches his new customer with sug- 
gestions as to certain changes in the 
selling organization. But here is an 
old established concern which feels that 
its selling organization is a carefully 
crystallized product of perhaps decades 
of experience and careful study. Con- 
sequently the advertising expert is po- 
litely but firmly told to return to his 
copy and his analyses of advertising 
mediums and leave the selling end to 
those better qualified by experience to 
handle the same. 

However, the wind is always changing, 
and before that first experimental year 
is over, the manufactiu'er not only realizes 
that his publicity has given him some 
brand new problems with regard to the 
keeping of his production abreast of 
the demand, but that the irresistible 
tide of this demand has thrown his much 
vaunted selling organization all at sea. 
Let us say, while all this is happening, 
that the advertising agent has been 
enterprising enough to investigate the 
selling conditions for himself. He goes 
to the retailers, he goes to the jobbers; 
everywhere he finds heavy demand for 
the goods, but in many places no goods, 
only a lot of dealers looking for the 
salesman of the particular product in 
question. Consequently the next time 
the advertising expert brings up selling 
suggestions to his customer, he gets a 
respectful hearing. 

AH of which serves to show that right 
advertising not only creates a demand 
for goods, but makes a manufacturer 
bigger, broader and more elastic in his 
methods of handling those goods, in 
other words, he finds himself lifted out 
of ruts. 

Think it over. 

A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



POSSE 

GYMNASIUM 
206 Mass. Ave., Boston 



1^ raining School Department 

Two years' course for teachers or 
physical training and athletics. 

Massage Department 

Courses of two years, one year, ana 
special private course with hospital 
work. 

Gymnasium Department 

Classes for men, women and children 
in all forms of gymnastics and athletics. 



ADDRESS 

REGISTRAR, Posse Gymnasium 



Charles H.Perry 



ADVERTISING 



SYSTEM 



. r> Near 

4a Irvington Street »,"enur°" 



Telephone 

1504 Back Bay 



Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



224 



NEW BOSTON 



The Health of the City 

Important as are the various new move- 
ments for the betterment of social con- 
ditions in rural communities, the city 
still remains the <;reat laboratory where 
nuist be worked out the most vexed prob- 
lems of society. Prescriptions for a city's 
ills are numerous these days. From the 
regulation of transportation to the better- 
ment of housing conditions and from 
proper methods of accounting to efficiency 
of municipal officials — on these and in- 
numerable other topics intimate to cities 
large and small are wholesale remedies 
given. In the mass of literature that has 
been produced on these subjects of the 
city's welfare a recent book by Hollis 
Godfrey entitled, The Health of the 
City is particularly welcome and valuable 
because of the apjjeal that it has for the 
ordinary readers interested in a non-tech- 
nical discussion of what can be done and 
what is being done to conserve life in the 
big centers of population. It is the first 
popular publication of the kind that has 
appeared. 

Mr. Godfrey treats his subject under 
these chapter headings: City Air, Water, 
Milk, Food, City Ice, Noise, Waste, 
Plumbing and City Housing. The book 
may be summarized in these words of 
Mr. Godfrey himself: 

"My effort has been to record in non- 
teclmical English what is known of the 
actual harm or harmlessness to the people 
of the city of such every-day affairs as 
air, water, wastes, food, housing, and 
noise, to give some account of certain 
civic conditions which are working evil, 
and to tell of some of the organized 
movements which are striving for the 
welfare of the peoi)le of the crowded 
streets. 

After a perusal of the volume the city 
dweller is apt to harbor a fear that his 
chances against the thousand and one 
enemies that lurk in air and food and 
drink are pretty poor. In every cloud of 
dust he can ])icture a host of bacteria. 
Ice, milk and water are filled with danger 
to life and the very air of home and office 
is infected. And ])erhaps it is just as well 
if a little wholesome fear is injected into 
the minds of those who live in cities. 
Such fear will make a stronger basis for 
reform that such books as Mr. Godfrey's 
are bringing about. 




Physicians say Felt's Foot Soap is healing, 
soothing and antiseptic, and does for the feet 
what no other soap can do. Sold at all drug 
and department stores. 

FELT CHEMICAL COMPANY Boston, Mass. 



* "The Health of the City." By Hollis Godfrey. Houghton 
Mifflin Company. Boston, 1910. Pp. 372. Price §1.25. 



NOBSCOT MT. 

SPRING 
WATER 

From the Spring Direct to You 

The purest spring water you can 
obtain is none too good. Quality 
(not price) is an absolute neces- 
sity and should be considered. 

Analysis on application. 
Prompt delivery. 

Nobscot Mt. Spring Co. 

14 Sears Street 

From 64 India Street to 199 Milk Street 

BOSTON, MASS. 



Telephone, Fort Hill 860-861 



NEW BOSTON 



Corrugated Fibre 
Board Boxes 

to carry safely most all commodities. 

Taken by transportation companies at 
same rate as wood packages, and weigh 

much less. 

Corrugated paper 
in its many forms. 





Send for new catalogue, "How to Pack It" 

The Hinde & Dauch Paper Co. 



BOSTON OFFICE 



43 TREMONT STREET 



Phone Haymarket 1389 



NEW YORK OFFICE 
165 DUANE ST. 



EXECUTIVE OFFICES 

SANDUSKY, OHIO 



MEDALS AND OTHER HONORS 
AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE 
IN AMERICAN AND FOREIGN 
PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS 



MAKER. COLLECTOR AND CUSTODIAN 
OF PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHS FOR 



PUBLICITY BUREAU OF BOSTON-1915 



CHARLES WESLEY HEARN 



PORTRAITS BY PHOTOGRAPHY 
AT STUDIO OR AT RESIDENCE 



ONLY OFFICIAL BOSTON-1915 PHOTOGRAPHER 



561 BOYLSTON STREET 



TELEPHONE 2598-2 B.B. 



BOSTON. MASS. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



226 



NEW BOSTON 



?%1^^«^^.-^• V^.n-nn-r. n^r. n^r. n^r. .i^r. .-i;;r. .i-r. r.nvi^^; 

MuB EnqiRAvincj Co. 

p!! HALF-TONE ENGRAVERS 

^M 173 SUMMER ST. BOSTON 



MM 



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TEU. OXFORD £.oa 




liJKy" «; . L. -I .( . . ■.. ,f -,1 ,'j-i>e'f 

Umk m 'Ay. 'il'.^" 'tl'.V,' '^l'"'. *y -^r- <ii •^'- ^k •^'- -* •^':- rf»- •J';- -••■ -7 '.u'"-;> li^itw 

il^^-^^-^^-^^^r ''><'' ^>r ''>r ^>r ""x^ ^<^ ■'>i^:^:IC 



See'sannples of our work in this magazine 



Some Suggestions 

To the Editor: 

I want to congratulate you on the excellence 
of your August number of New Boston. The 
number breathes of out-doors and health all through 
and I do not see how anyone reading it could help 
endorsing the sound principles for which 1915 is 
working. With a few exceptions even the advertise- 
ments from the Milk and Baby Hygiene Association 
to the Posse Gymnasimn are advocates of better 
living. 

If 1915 can, in the next few years, establish in 
the minds of our people the safe and sane Fourth 
idea and bring to pass even a part of what New 
Boston stands for in the way of games and recrea- 
tions for our boys and girls, outdoor plays and 
cleaner streets, it will have proved itself indeed a 
benefactor to the city. 

But keep your eye on "Boston's Future Sky 
Line," as represented on page 131 and .see that the 
light and sun are not too perilously shut off from 
the lower stories of buildings, whether stores or 
homes, or from the streets. 

If we are to have a vigorous city in 1915 we should 
begin by .seeing to it that our citizens live in light, 
well-ventilated dwellings and sanitary workshops. 
Then associations for the Relief and Control of 
Tuberculosis will vanish and hospitals will no 
longer be soliciting fresh endowments. 
SP:YM()UR H. STONE, 
Secretary, Boston Association for the Relief and 

Control of Tuberculosis. 



To the Editor: 

New Boston is to me a bright, fresh, high-class 
monthly reminder of the unity which marks all of 
our efforts for the improvement of the local social 
situation. I believe that it will make all the social 
forces more conscious of their opportunities and 
responsibilities. I would like to see a monthly 
summary of important events affecting Boston. 
I would like to see an occasional re-survey of the 
progress made on the improvement of our local 
geography. There is to me a very definite Boston- 
1915 geography and it is a very different geography 
from the Boston-1910, and I hope that on the 
anniversary of the exhibition you will be able to 
show definite progress on the imi)rovement of the 
old map. Personallj', I know that there has been 
such progress in the great triangle between Provi- 
dence and Dartmauth streets and Columbus 
avenue. I wish that the Arlington street exten- 
sion was really nearer than it was a year ago. 

Could you not run a monthly budget exhibit.' 
There are some fifty-six departments of our city 
government. Perhaps you could treat about five 
of their budgets per month anfl show what they 
have been spending their money on, and show how 
well they have been spending it, how badly they 
have been spending it, how much value they get 
for each dollar well or badly spent. 

I believe that 1915 should recognize that the 
organized political jiarties play an enormous part 
in the social life of the community. I would like 
to have you invite them to make a formal and 
official statement of their programs for the better- 



NEW BOSTON 



®^Mt4i40cm^GMa4i4i|aeiiiWi^ S/O^ 



BOSTON NEW YOKK PHILADELPHIA CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 



rr 



ALL KINDS OF TAGS 

GUMMED LABELS, SEALS. GUMMED PAPER, GLUE, 

PASTE, MUCILAGE, WAX, JEWELERS' BOXES, CASES, 

TRAYS, CREPE PAPEK, PAPER NAPKINS. TISSUE 

Unique devices for business and home life fill every 

Dennison Store. The best and most original of paper 

decorations are found in the Dennison Art Departments 

The combination is interesting and satisfying 

PROVE IT FOK YOURSELF 



ESTABLISHED 1846 




Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

INIilk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 
Certified, Hood Farm, Modified for Babies 

Buttermilk 

Put up iu Sealed Glass Jars 

Daily deliveries on regular Hood teams in 
Greater Boston, North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
Manchester, N. H. 

Delivered by express to any address. 
494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company in New 
England. 




" I always use Sawyer's Crystal Ammonia 
and Borax for washing dolly's lace dress, 
as it does away with the rubbing. I then 
rinse and use Sawyer's Crystal Blue." 

SAWYER CRYSTAL BLUE CO.. 
88 Broad Street, Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



228 



NEW BOSTON 



MEETING 
COMPETITION 

How many of your customers 
are buying as many classes of 
goods from you as they might? 

Suppose you could know in 
each customer's case just what 
goods he is buying from j'our 
competitor. 

Suppose you could know just 
why that competitor is getting 
the business instead of yourself. 

Can you conceive of any more 
powerful weapon in meeting 
competition t 

That is one class of facts in the 
selling end of a business which 
our service provides for collect- 
ing regularly and completely. 

A preliminary interview with 
us creates no obhgation. 

Special Service Department 
of Library Bureau 

Organization and prodvction engineers 
43 Federal St., Boston, Mass. 



ment of our community. If the Prohibition Party 
has anything more than prohibition for a program 
to meet the terrific problems of Boston as a social 
organism, let us know it. Let us find out from the 
Socialists themselves just how practical and im- 
mediate their program is. If the Democrats and 
Republicans have any plan except to get their own 
men in and trust to the average human nature to 
blunder ahead, let us know it from them. 

WALTER E. KRUESI, 
Director }filh and Baby Hygiene Association. 

The Common Drinking Cup 

On October 1 a new law goes into effect 
which authorizes the State Board of 
Health "to prohibit in such public places, 
vehicles and buildings as it may designate 
the ]:)roviding of a common drinking 
cup, and the board may establish rules 
and regulations for this pin-pose." Of- 
fenders shall be deemed guilty of a mis- 
demeanor and be liable to a fine not 
exceeding twenty-five dollars for each 
offence. 

This is a step in the direction of pre- 
venting the spread of contagious diseases 
and citizens knowing of drinking places 
that appear to be a menace to the 
pulilic health should report the same to 
the State Board of Health, State House, 
Boston. 

In this connection, the order issued 
by Mayor Fitzgerald, September 15, 
190G, to all city employes, is of interest. 
The mayor orders that city employes 
afflicted with pulmonary tuberculosis 
must provide their own drinking glasses, 
soap and towels and shall not use those 
provided for general use. He further 
recommends that all city employes use 
individual drinking glasses. 

The fight against the common drinking 
cup began with the crusade against tuber- 
culosis, and within a decade notal)le 
advances have been made. The Ladies' 
Home Journal has been a leader in the 
movement and a series of illustrated ar- 
ticles portrayed the dangers from infec- 
tion that lurk in the tin cups of park 
fountains and railroad water coolers. 
Most effective in these Journal articles 
were the pictures depicting children drink- 
ing from the same cups used by drunken, 
diseased men. 

The results of general publicity is seen 
not only in legislation like the new act 
going into effect in Massachusetts on 
Oct. 1. Some railroad companies have 
made improvements in their service and 
sanitary fountains have appeared in pub- 
lic parks and schools. The days of the 
rusty dipper seem numbered. 



If 6 Ii*<C 




NEW BOSTON 





A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IM 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 



PUBLISHED BY BOSTON 1915 INC- 6 BEACON ST 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS • U -S-A 



VOL. I. 

TEN CENTS A COPY 



OCTOBER, 1910 

NO. 6 
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR^ 



FORT HILL 7600 

RATE DEPARTMENT 



\Y/E are now ready to answer inquiries of present 
or prospective subscribers relative to the new 
rates. Call at 1 1 9 Milk Street, or 165 Tremont 
Street, Boston. Calls by telephone from any part of 
the Metropolitan or Suburban District to the "Rate 
Department," Fort Hill 7600, may be made without 
charge. 

In some exchanges, where construction work is 
well advanced, we shall be able shortly to take some 
subscribers at the new rates. In other exchanges,, 
however, we shall not be able to offer the new service 
until after November 1 , as announced in our first 
bulletin. 

Meanwhile, applications from new subscribers 
will be received, and if the new schedule cannot be 
made effective at once, such applicants will be given 
service temporarily at the old rates. 



New England Telephone 
and Telegraph Company 




««tTini; :i(lv<i ti><un.-iu» pltiisc imntioii XKW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



OCTOBER, 1910 



No. 6 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 223 

BIGNESS PLUS EFFICIENCY 223 

THE PROPOSED BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS 224 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 224 

THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 225 

MONTCLAIR MEETING THE MILK PROBLEM 226 

BOSTON-1915 DIRECTORS 226 

LOS ANGELES-1915 Dana W. Bartlett 227 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 229 

THE FINAL BOSTON-191S GAMES 232 

THE MILK SITUATION Mrs. Wm. Lowell Putnam 237 

BACK TO THE FARM 243 

THE MILK PROTECTIVE WORK OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.. M. N. Baker 247 

PROMPT BIRTH RETURNS, THE PRIME NEED AND FOUNDA- 
TION OF PUBLIC WORK Richard C. Cabot, M. D.. 250 

THE ELF CHILD Lilian V. Robinson 252 

THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT, AS THE PRODUCER SAW IT... George P. Baker 256 

THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT, AS A SPECTATOR SAW IT Frank Chouteau Brown,. 261 

A CHILDREN'S EXHIBIT Lilian V. Robinson 266 

TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP Daniel Bloomfield 269 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class mailer at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

(Copyright, 1910, by Boston— 1Q15, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 




J^^^^fH^ 



'■■■■'■ cTWt^^^^^C^ 

-I- ■- r - -K ■ PI'" ^r - ,C?! . ft^ - vT-As^^;- 




HOTEL PU RITAN 

390 Commonwealth Avenue 

100 Yards West of Massachusetts Avenue Car Lines 

A DISTINCTIVE BOSTON HOUSE 

Opened last November with every modern resource for 
Transient and Permanent Guests 

D. P. COSTELLO, Manager 

Write for " The Story of New England and the Puritans" 



545 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

BIJOU THEATRE 



Open daily from 9.30 A. M. to 

10.30 P. M. 
Sunday 6.30 to 10.30 P. M. 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the public for a small admission. 

That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 
All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a "Moving Picture Show." 

PROGRAMME 



Motion Pictures at tlieir Best 

The subject-s carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
European producers. 

Camera Chats 

By a trained reader, on interesting phases 
of life at home and abroad. 

Stereopticon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



One-Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

iVIusIc 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



JOSEPHINE CLEMENT, Manager 



111 answering aclvertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



OCTOBER, 1910 



No. 6 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



Bigness Plus Efficiency 

The 1910 census figures showing the 
population of our larger cities are meet- 
ing a reception cjuite different from that 
of ten years ago. Then those cities were 
in rivalry for mere bigness; today they 
are in emulation for real efficiency. From 
this latter point of view, the addition 
of hundreds of thousands of inhabitants 
means such a lot of new and complex 
problems in government, education, 
housing, transportation, and philan- 
thropy, that a city's enthusiasm over its 
numerical supremacy is considerably 
modified by a new feeling of responsi- 
bility. If bigness involves high taxa- 
tion, mis-government, slums, and other 
common features of modern city life, 
it is certainly better to remain small. 
Fortunately, however, municipal growth 
and municipal corruption are not in- 
separable; and while it is easier to bring 
a small city up to modern standards, 
there is added glory in solving the far 
harder problems of a large one. And, 
whether large or small, the experiences 
of each municipality are of direct bene- 
fit to every other. 

It is with great satisfaction, therefore, 
that Boston-1915 views the plans of 
"Los-Angeles-1915," and of many other 
cities hyphenated with 1915, 1920, or 
some other date set as a goal for definite 
achievement. Whatever is accomplished 
in those cities will be of direct help to 
ours. Referring to Mr. Bartlett's 
article, in the present number, on Los 
Angeles-1915, it is flattering to see how 
closely that city is following the aims 
and plans of Boston, especially in view 
of the fact that its conditions and its 
geographical situation are so different 



from those of the Massachusetts city. 
Los Angeles is in a new and as yet 
scarcely developed region; its inhabi- 
tants are for that reason mainly yovmger 
men and women, with the energy of 
newcomers and without hampering tra- 
ditions and conventions. Moreover, it 
has open country on all sides of it over 
which to expand. Boston, on the con- 
trary, has not merely its narrow streets 
and its long-congested areas; it has 
not only the ocean on one side and com- 
pactly built areas on the other; it has 
also to reckon with the inherited tra- 
ditions of nearly 300 years. Further- 
more, while Los Angeles enjoys a climate 
which permits of out-of-door living 
through the greater part of the year, 
Boston has to deal with the tremendous 
financial, sanitary and medical problems 
involved in housing people through five 
or six months of serious cold. In view 
of these differences, Los Angeles can 
confidently adopt as its slogan "A City 
without a Slum," for its balmy atmos- 
phere makes the tenement problem com- 
paratively simple, while its possibilities 
for expansion eliminate congestion. 

Boston's spirit, however, is made only 
the more eager by the peculiar difficulties 
of her situation. While she knows that 
she has much to learn from Los Angeles 
and the many other cities which are fol- 
lowing her own example, she feels con- 
fident that even old Boston can continue 
to teach them many tilings. Some of 
the younger cities may outstrip her in 
the growth of their population, but they 
will not be permitted to suri)ass her in 
those things which make for the health, 
happiness and efficiency of a city's popu- 
lation. However fierce this emulation, 



224 



NEW BOSTON 



moreover, there can be in it nothing but 
gain for every city concerned. The 
profit, material, social or moral, of one 
community is the profit of all; progress 
for I.os Angeles means progress for 
Boston; the growth of any one munici- 
pality means new and better growth for 
every other city in the land. 

The Proposed Board of Public Works 

The jilan for consolidating the street, 
water and engineering <lepartments of 
Boston into a Board of Public Works 
under one administrative head points 
the way to a decided forward step in 
municipal efficiency and economy. Har- 
mony of action between such closely 
related, yet at present unco-ordinated 
branches of the city government as the 
street, water and engineering depart- 
ments is absolutely essential if the public 
work of the city is to be properly prose- 
cuted. W'ith the present distribution 
of authority among three departments, 
efficiency is necessarily hampered and 
energy lost. Take a specific example. 
The Street Department may be pre- 
pared to pave a certain thoroughfare of 
the city. Before that is done, however, 
the four inch water mains should be dis- 
placed by twelve inch pipes and weeks 
pass before the Water Dejjartment does 
this necessary preliminary work. The 
consequence is that either the work is 
held up or the pavement is laid only to 
be torn up again when the new mains 
are installed. Com])laints from tax- 
payers resulting from such action are 
common enough. This is one case among 
luuidreds where through a lack of co- 
operation, energy, time and money are 
wasted by an unbusinesslike system. With 
the proposed concentration of authority 
in one dej)artment having charge of all 
engineering construction work, a saving 
of unnecessary duplication and increased 
harmony and siin])licity in numicipal 
niacliiiHM'y is l)oun(l to result. 

A Board of Public Works similar to 
the one in mind has not been adopted 
in any of the larger American cities 
where, nevertheless, the same wasted 
effort is present due to the "related un- 
relatedness" of the city departments 
having engineering work in charge. 
Boston has an oi)p()rt unity to take first 
place among the cities of the United 



States if this plan for constructive 
municipal statesmanship is adopted. 

With a man like Street Commissioner 
Rourke at the head of a Board of Public 
Works — a man whose work at the 
Isthmus has been highly commended by 
President Taft and Colonel Goethals — 
supported by competent civil engineers 
of recognized standing in charge of the 
various sub-divisions, there would follow 
an immense increase in the economical, 
efficient supervision of the city's engineer- 
ing business. Wliile in Panama Mr. 
Rourke built up an engineering organi- 
zation Qf great efficiency consisting of 
about 13,000 men, or about three times 
the number that would be included 
under the proposed Board of Public 
Works. 

The Civic Advance Campaign 

The Civic Advance Campaign out- 
lined in detail in this number of NEW 
Boston will, we believe, rival the Ex- 
position of a year ago in arousing interest 
and securing co-operation for Boston- 
1915. A few weeks ago one of the pastors 
of a city church, in speaking on "The 
Real Uplift" lamented the fact that the 
Exposition "didn't get anywhere." If 
the 200,000 people who went to the Old 
Art Museum while the Exposition was 
in progress learned something about 
the workings of their own city through 
graphic representations of every form 
of municipal activity, we are pretty 
firmly convinced that the Exposition 
did "get somewhere," and that it per- 
formed a big service for the city of 
Boston. Perhaps, indeed, it came about 
as near a "real uplift" as any one branch 
of civic betterment work could. 

It is a similar service that the Civic 
Advance Campaign will accomplish for 
Boston, a service of interpreting a city 
to itself. Graham Taylor says in the 
Chicago Daily News that "one can never 
know his own city until he tries to in- 
terpret it to others. While some faith 
in what you read or in what others tell 
you is necessary to knowledge, seeing 
for yourself helps you to know more 
really and truly. And next best to the 
sight of things as they are is the privilege 
of seeing through the eyes and hearing 
through the ears and feeling through 
the touch of men and women who are 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



225 



actually dealing with city problems and 
doing the things that are being done." 

Through the means of the mass meet- 
ings to be held throughout the Metro- 
politan District and the pageant to be 
given in the Arena, the people of Boston 
and vicinity will be privileged to "see 
through the eyes and hear through the 
ears and feel through the touch of men 
and women who are actually dealing 
with city problems and doing the things 
that are being done." The backbone 
of every civic advance lies in public 
education, and this Civic x\dvance Cam- 
paign is essentially a campaign of educa- 
tion just as the Exposition of last year 
was educational. 

So far as the pageant itself goes the 
service that it can perform for the city 
is well stated by Frank Chouteau Brown 
on another page of this magazine when 
he says that "such a venture means to 
all '^those concerned in its preparation, 
both actors, teachers and those assisting 
in the preparation of costumes or the 
collection of properties a stimulation of 
local pride which must inevitably 
strengthen and develop a community 
spirit, w^hile it must be accompanied by 
a revelation of artistic talents latent 
in the community that cannot help but 
make the entire undertaking one of the 
most vitally educational elements that 
can possibly be added to the life ex- 
perience of a community." 

The Peterborough Pageant 

The success of the Peterborough Pa- 
geant on August 16-20 proves that even 
a scattered country population may have, 
if properly guided, artistic and stirring 
pageantry. It shows, too, that the cost 
need not, for small communities, be pro- 
hibitive, something to be feared if the 
recent English pageants are taken as 
evidence. Even when compensation for 
those writing and producing the pageant 
is allowed — in this case we understand 
that the services of the collaborators 
were given as a tribute to Edward IMac- 
Dowell and his devoted wife — the cost 
should not be beyond the possibilities 



of a guarantee fund to be raised in the 
town or township. This guarantee fund 
need not daunt anyone, for nearly every 
community now has its rich and generous 
members, either as summer residents or 
among the permanent population who 
can give the fund body, and the sale of 
seats and of programs should render 
unnecessary any final use of the fund. 
In any case, the fresh trade brought into 
the town by the pageant will offset, 
probably more than offset, the subscrip- 
tion. 

This pageant proves, too, that to work 
with small numbers in a place of some- 
what restricted resources — as must be 
the case in thousands of our communi- 
ties — need not in the least preclude suc- 
cessful experimentation for artistic and 
literary results. If Peterborough could 
present so admirably a difficult pageant 
under such restricting conditions of time 
for rehearsals, then there is no reason 
why this very stimulating and educative 
form of popular drama should not 
spread widely over the country, replacing 
ways of celebrating our holidays often 
inane and in sum total expensive. The 
pageant teaches history, meantime devel- 
oping the individual and the community. 

Nor need a town be at a loss now for 
someone to write and produce its pro- 
jected pageant. That would have been 
true even two years ago, but now several 
persons have in different places demon- 
strated their ability for this work. One 
of the interesting features of the Peter- 
borough pageant, the work of a trio of 
Harvard men, is that it was an experi- 
ment by Mr. Baker and his colleagues 
looking toward work in pageantry else- 
where by this group, as a group, carrying 
out its ideas of what pageantry may be 
made in this country under widely dif- 
fering conditions. Why should not 
pageantry in the next ten years develop 
in different but competent hands into 
a special dramatic form of great flexi- 
bility but also of great beauty? In any 
case, whether it develops into a special 
dramatic form or not, it is already a 
quickening social force. 



'^:^::^i^^^ 



226 



NEW BOSTON 



Montclair Meeting the Milk Problem 

Montclair is a New Jersey coiiiinuter's 
town. It numbers about 17,000 residents, 
mostly New York business men, who 
for five days of the week hurry for the 
"5.05" at night and on Saturdays try 
for tlie "1.07." Montclair is known to 
the world — that world around New York 
at least, and according to the census 
people a good share of it is found there — 
as one of the handsomest and homiest 
of New York's suburban towns. Its 
reputation goes beyond New York and 
New Jersey however; for the Montclair 
Board of Health is looked at as a model for 
the country. The town's mortality rate 
in 1909 was way below most Jersey cities. 
Perhaps that's another reason why the 
commuters run for the "5.05" on most 
davs and for the "1.07" on Saturdays. 

Of special interest to NEW BOSTON 
readers is the way that this model board 
handles its milk supply and keeps tab 
on every producer, be he 50 or 150 
miles from town. M. N. Baker who tells 
about the successful workings of the 
Montclair milk ordinances on another 
page, was vice-president of the Board 
of Health from 1894 to 1904. Since then 
he has been president. He is editor of 
Engineering Neivs, and his article is 
filled with valuable suggestions for ap- 
plying a safety valve to a town's milk 
supply. The groundwork of the Mont- 
clair Board of Health could be pretty 
profitably used in the big towns as 
well as in the smaller ones. 

If we can trust the newspapers, Mont- 
clair is wide awake to social betterment 
in more than one particular; for accord- 
ing to a recent dispatch the school au- 
thorities of that town have decided to 
establish an open air school for weak- 
lunged children. The pupils will have 
their desks on a large platform which will 
be surmounted by a shelter tent. The 
.school is not intended for chiklren who 
may have contracted tuberculosis, but 
for those who have weak hmgs and might 
be benefited by life in the open. 

Children who live at a distance from 
the school will be transported to the in- 
stitution at the exi)ense of the school 
district. Of the 4,000 puj)ils in the 
Montclair schools last year medical in- 
spectors found forty-seven who showed 
they might develop tuberculosis. 



LOS ANGELES-1915 



DANA W. BARTLETT 

Superintendent Municipal Reference Bureau, Los Angeles 

When the Boston-1915 movement was 
inaugurated, the fitness of Los Angeles 
for a similar movement was at once 
apparent. The year 1915 will be a mem- 
orable date. The future history of the 
Pacific coast will record that year as 
the beginning of a new era, as the dis- 
covery of gold ushered in the present one. 

The joining of the two oceans by the 
Panama canal will bring about a re- 
adjustment of the world's commerce, 
greatly increasing the trade with the 
Orient and the south seas. Then will 
take place the meeting of the West with 
the far East on terms of equality and 
mutual helpfulness. It will be the be- 
ginning of a real industrial age for all 
of the coast cities. The tide of immigra- 
tion will sweep through the Golden Gate 
and the Angel Gate as now through 
Ellis Island and the Boston gateways. 
All this will hasten the growth of Los 
Angeles so that within five years from 
that great date, the population of the 
Angel City will reach the one million 
mark. It is evident then that 1915 is 
an important date for this city, and that 
a supreme effort should be put forth 
to prepare the city for its great responsi- 
bilities. 

In addition to the opening of the 
Panama canal to the world's trade and 
the bringing of all the ships which pass 
to the Orient, on the great circle route, 
within seventy miles of Los Angeles, 
there will be the completion of several 
other great undertakings which will aid 
in making this one of the greatest cities 
of the nation. By 1912 the municipal 
aqueduct will be completed, bringing 
water for a city of two million people, 
water clear as crystal from the melting 
snows of the high Sierras 217 miles across 
desert and mountain. This twenty- 
three million dollar investment in water 
spells opportunity to a land of scant 
rainfall. This aqueduct will create power 
as well as carry the water for the greater 
city. Drop]:)ing from the mountains 
through mighty penstocks this stream 
will produce 120,000 horsepower of elec- 
tricity, making it possible'for'the munici- 
pality to deal in power and light, and 



LOS ANGELES-1915 



227 



thus curb the power inono])oly which 
might otherwise prove detrimental to 
the best development of the city. 

The completion of the $3,000,000 
government breakwater created a great 
harbor at San Pedro. The annexation 
of this seaport to the city made the 
potential Los Angeles harbor, and the 
determination on the part of the munici- 
pality to invest $10,000,000 in its inner 
and outer harbor, dredging and build- 
ing municipal docks and warehouses 
having many miles of frontage, assures 
to the city one of the great harbors of 
the world, to which will come the mighty 
ships of all flags. It is the settled policy 
of the city to build and operate a munici- 
pal railway from the harbor to the center 
of the city. This and many other un- 
dertakings will surely bring the income 
necessary to do the real things worth 
doing. 

The slogan adopted for this movement 
is "A City without a Slum." While 
naturally rejoicing in the growth of the 
greater city and its increase in commerce 
and industry, its citizens are already 
placing the emphasis on ideas and plans 
which make for the better city. It is 
believed that there can be built here a 
distinctive type of city,- largely freed 
from the power of bad business, a city 
of homes in a setting of green and gold. 
To bring about this condition of civic 
life wherein the city may be thoroughly 
prepared for its mighty opportunity, it 
did not seem necessary to create new 
machinery for the purpose, but rather 
through a central office seek to co- 
ordinate the work of all existing organi- 
zations. This seemed wise because of 
the many splendid clubs and societies 
engaged in the work of civic betterment 
and municipal reform. A partial list 
of such agencies will show how fortunate 
the city is in having such forces well 
equipped at the very beginning of the 
Los Angeles— 1915 movement. The City 
Club, the Good Government Organiza- 
tion, the Good Government Fund, the 
Municipal League, the Chamber of Com- 
merce, the Voters' League, the Civic 
Association, the INIunicipal Reference 
Bureau, College Men's Association, the 
Church Federation, the Federated Im- 
provement Associations, the Convention 
League, the Housing, Playground, 
Municipal Art, and City Planning Com- 



missions, and women's and men's clubs 
— all ready to do team work on a definite 
program. 

A branch of the North American Civic 
League for Immigrants is being organized 
to care for the multitude of aliens which 
are sure to come by way of the Panama 
Canal. 

That it will be possible to carry out 
the 1915 program already outlined is 
assured because of the quality of the 
citizenship. The best people of the 
world have been attracted to this city 
because of the climate, the cultured life 
of the place and the character of the 
government. After enduring many years 
of corrupt machine rule, the citizens re- 
volted, resulting in the complete over- 
throw of the forces of evil and the elec- 
tion of true and tried men for every office. 
This was made possible through the 
adoption of the tools of democracy, the 
initiative, the referendum, the recall and 
direct primary, which abolished w^ard 
lines and ward politics. A new charter 
is soon to be adopted, which will give 
the short ballot, and add greatly to the 
powers of the municipal corporation. 
There exists here the truly western spirit 
which makes it possible to do the things 
worth doing because they ought to be 
done. If a federal steamship line is 
essential to the business interests of all 
the people, then with one accord a strong 
appeal is sent on to Washington. If 
the railway is extortionate, then must a 
municipal railway be built. If it is neces- 
sary to create a better type of house for 
the poor, then the municipality does 
not hesitate to build such a type. If 
lawbreakers are treated in the old way, 
then a better way is adopted and they 
are placed on a municipal farm. When 
someone suggests an improvement in 
government or administration, then at 
once it is discussed in the press and in 
the clubs, and discussion is quickly 
followed by action. 

The awakened interest in city planning 
and the city beautiful has resulted in 
the appointment of a City Plan Commis- 
sion, whose work is to elaborate the 
Robinson plan, to include the greater 
city and the harbor district. A city 
planning conference is to be held in 
November which will discuss the ques- 
tions of rehousing the poor in garden 
\illages, the creation of 'special industrial 



228 



NEW BOSTON 



districts, the planning of undeveloped 
areas and means of distributing the 
congested population over a wider region, 
the development of parks and boulevards 
and radial roads, and civic and cultural 
centers. Much attention will be given 
to the question of excess condemnation 
and means of securing a larger income 
from other sources than that of taxes. 

As in Boston, this city will celebrate 
in the year 1915 with an exhibition of 
a city in action. That year will be the 
centennial of the beginning of the building 
of the celebrated mission church. That 
celebration will form the center of an 
historic pageant depicting the early mis- 
sion and Spanish life of the city. 

It is the purpose to make Los Angeles 
in 1915 the great convention city of the 
world, attracting here the great world 
congresses, cultural, educational, scien- 
tific, religious and ethical. On the com- 
pletion of the canal Los Angeles will 
become the world's central meeting 
place by the water route, with easy 
access by the Pacific from the Far East 
and through the canal from all /Atlantic 
ports. The opportunity of visiting the 
World's Fair enroute ought to make 
this city a most popular meeting place 
for the great congresses and conventions. 

Those'interested' in the Los Angeles- 



1915 movement may address the head- 
quarters at 618 New High Street, Los 
Angeles. 

Boston-1915 Directors Meeting 

The Directors of Boston-1915 resumed 
their monthly meetings on the evening 
of September 19. Although a number 
of the members are still out of the city 
the meeting was well attended and con- 
siderable business transacted. Two of 
the votes which were of especial in- 
terest were those relating to the Boys' 
Games and the celebration of the Fourth 
of July. 

The Conference of Youth having 
recommended that the Boys' Games be 
extended to include organized indoor 
sports during the wanter such as basket- 
ball and indoor track games and further 
that baseball be added to the summer 
sports, the recommendation was approved 
by a unanimous vote of the Directors. 

The new celebration of the Fourth of 
July inaugurated by Boston-1915's special 
committee having proved so successful 
and there having been such a widespread 
demand on every side that it be continued, 
the Directors voted to begin work im- 
mediately that the celebration of next 
year may be the more complete and 
comprehensive. 




'THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 




INTERIOR OF THE BOSTON ARENA 



In the September number of NEW 
Boston there was a full statement 'of 
the origin and aims of the Civic Advance 
Campaign to be conducted by Boston- 
1915 November 10-22 next. While the 
full details of the program will naturally 
await the next issue of the magazine, 
it is now possible to report an amount 
of progress during the last few weeks 
which gives assurance of a successful 
carrying out of the maturing plans. 

The opening days of the campaign 
will bring together the mayors and city 
officials from all parts of New England 
to confer upon practical questions as 
to the best administration of the work 
of various city departments. The fol- 
lowing list of topics, from which a selec- 
tion is later to be made, will illustrate 
the scope of this conference: — How to 
secure and inspect a city's milk supply; 
Playgrounds, their proper supervision 
3,nd support; Tuberculosis, and the lat- 



est measures for its prevention; Disposal 
of a city's waste; Large and small city de- 
partments, their advantages and disadvan- 
tages; Public service commissions; City 
pensions, for whom and how secured.' 
How to make a city budget; Juvenile crime, 
its treatment and prevention; The com- 
mission form of city government. It is 
expected that this conference will come 
together on Thursday morning, Nov. 10, 
at Tremont Temple; after greetings and 
organization a luncheon will be served by 
Boston-1915, and the afternoon devoted 
to discussions. In the evening all mem- 
bers of the conference will be the guests of 
Boston-1915 at the opening presenta- 
tion of the pageant in Boston Arena, 
which will be designated as "Mayors' 
Night." Friday morning will be de- 
voted to further papers and discussions; 
and on Friday afternoon there will 
probably be a tour of inspection of cer- 
tain departments of the city of Boston, 



230 



NEW BOSTON 



IVInyor Fitzgerald will Iciuler a (liiuicr 
to the delegates prior to the closing ses- 
sion, which will be addressed by Mayor 
James hogan of Worcester and by Mayor 
Gaynor of New York City, or, in case 
his j)hysical condition does not permit 
him to deliver a formal address, by some 
other speaker well qualified to discuss 
the needs of the modern city. 

The most striking and novel feature 
of the campaign will undoubtedly be 
the Dramatic Pageant, to be given in 
the Boston Arena. Three regular even- 
ing productions are set for Thursday, 
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-12. There 
will be a dress rehearsal Wednesday after- 
noon, Nov. 9, and a matinee Saturday 
afternoon, Nov. 12, when free admission 
will be given to the young people of 
high school age in Boston and the sur- 
rounding towns. 

The purpose of this production is 
to focus ])ublic attention on the problem 
of city building. The pageant has been 
planned to show in as graphic a way as 
possible the steps in the development 
of home-making through which mankind 
has passed. The first episode will show 
the simplest home of man. The solitary 
cave dweller and his family will be seen 
about the first hearth stone. Next will 
be seen community life among the 
Indians, and a tribe of Iroquois Indians 
from northern New York have been in- 
vited to show scenes of home life in an 
Indian village. The Indians will be 
seen in the peaceful occupations of weav- 
ing, arrow-making and corn-pounding, 
and teaching the children to shoot and 
to dance. The coming of the missionaries 
with the message of Christianity will 
also be seen. When the colonists arrive 
the Indians serve as their guides through 
the wilderness and help them to build 
their first homes there. 

The settlement by the colonists shows 
a step forward in the progress of home- 
making, for here we see a settlement 
where freedom of thought and worship 
are possible. 

At first the struggle for existence seems 
to threaten the very life of the settlers, 
and the poor crops and the hostile Indians 
make success seem nearly impossible. 
But the next episode in the pageant shows 
the strength and success w^hich comes to 
the colonists as the years progress, and 
the wealth and comfort which come to 



them is shown by the splendor with 
which a governor entertains his guests 
on a Thanksgiving evening. We see 
the beginnings of the school and of in- 
dustry and the growth in numbers which 
transform the small settlements into 
large, prosperous villages, and the re- 
sistance which these colonists give to 
the tyranny of the laws inflicted upon 
them shows the growth of their courage 
and independence. 

The next scene in the pageant will 
show forth the contrast between these 
colonial times and the conditions of 
the present. The old-fashioned vehicles 
will appear side by side with the latest 
electric automobile which Mr. Edison 
has perfected. The town-crier with his 
candle-lantern will show the way in 
which news was spread in the colonial 
days, and the wireless telegraph will 
indicate the latest means which science 
has perfected for flashing news from one 
part of the world to the other. 

Education of the present day will be 
represented by exercises from the schools 
of various sections, and we shall see the 
changes in methods and ideals from the 
time when the colonial dame gathered 
a little group of children about her knee 
and taught them the simple elements 
of reading, writing and figuring. The 
next step in the progress of the pageant 
will show the characteristics of the Perfect 
City of the F'uture, in which work, health 
and recreation will be the portion of all 
citizens. A perfect city should welcome 
also worthy citizens from other portions 
of the world, and this feature will be 
represented by groups from many nations 
joining in their native dances. 

The final feature of the pageant will 
be a tableau representing Boston and 
Her Neighbors. This will be imperson- 
ated by thirty figures representing the 
surrounding districts of Boston, grouped 
appropriately around the central figure, 
which will represent Boston itself. Be- 
fore this group will pass the pageanters 
to their places for the final assembly, 
and when all are grouped appropriately, 
audience and performers will join in 
singing patriotic hymns. 

In preparing for the local rallies to be 
held in dift'erent parts of Boston and of 
the surrounding towns and cities, a 
large amount of preliminary convassing 
has been done. There is gratifying indi- 



THE C IVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 



231 




'COMMUNITY LIFE AMONG THE INDIANS" 



cation of awakening interest in this con- 
certed effort to arouse all citizens to 
better tliinking and planning for the 
common welfare. The leading social 
and civic organizations are being ap- 
proached, and locations for the meetings 
are being secured. It is expected that 
before the appearance of this magazine 
a dinner will be held in Boston at which 
leaders from all these localities will be 
present to plan more fully the details 
for each town and city. Representatives 
of the local press have uniformly shown 
a hearty interest in the ])lan. Many 
speakers, including experts of national 
reputation in different lines of social wel- 
fare work, have been invited, and their 
acceptances are being received. The 
next number of NEW BOSTON will 
be able to give a full list of speakers, 
topics and locations of these local 
rallies. 

The closing portion of the campaign 
will concentrate attention upon central 



meetings. On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 
20, a mass meeting of the labor unions 
is planned, to be held either in Faneuil 
Hall or one of the largest theatres. 
Plans are also maturing for a Sun- 
day afternoon union gathering of young 
peoples' societies of the various Pro- 
testant denominations, at which time 
the scope of Boston-1915 as an agency 
for civic endeavor will be presented. On 
Monday evening, Nov. 21, one and pos- 
sibly two central meetings will be held, 
to be addressed by such speakers as 
Archbishop O'Connell of our city. Rabbi 
Wise of New York and Dr. Gunsaulus, 
President of the Armour Institute, 
Chicago. The closing evening of the 
campaign, Tuesday, Nov. 22, is to be 
devoted to a banquet, at which it is 
hoped to rally a full tho\isand of the 
workers who have become associated in 
Boston-191o, for social fellowship and 
for some stirring addresses by leaders 
in civic Hfc from other cities of our land. 



THE FINAL BOSTON- 1915 GAMES 




SOME OF THE BOYS 



For the second year the Marcella 
Street Playground won the final Boston- 
1915 track meet at Wood Island on 
August 27. There were 5,000 spec- 
tators grouped around the borders of 
the playground and 500 young athletes 
contesting within the enclosure. The 
games were managed with the precision 
of an intercollegiate meet and by five 
o'clock the last race of the 1910 season 
had been run off and the winners were 
awarded the handsome cups which 
were given out by Frank S. Mason, of 
the Boys' Games Committee. Ten of 
the cups were presented by the Boston 
Traveler. The Boston American do- 
nated the relay cups, twenty -four in num- 
ber, and the remaining forty-seven cups 
were provided by the Transcript, the 
Post and the Globe. The nineteen medals 
presented at the final meet were furnished 
by the Boys' Games Committee. 

In spite of the fact that some records 
were broken at the final meet, the ap- 
pearance of a few "stars" did not keep 
the lesser lights from competing. And 
at the rate that the juniors and inter- 
mediates set in their divisions, by 1915 
all records of previous years ought to 
go by the board. 

It is interesting to see the comment 
on the games printed by the different 



sporting editors of Boston papers. The 
Traveler on August 1 said: "Despite 
inclement weather the 1915 games were 
held Saturday, attracting large crowds 
at each playground. This is a good 
sign. Without interest in these games 
for Boston youngsters they would die 
of their own accord. It is a trait in 
Americans to like to engage in athletic 
contests, but it is also a trait that in- 
terests in these contests go far toward 
making them a success. We like the 
hurrah and the noise on this side of the 
pond. Nothing better was ever de- 
vised than the athletic contests during 
the summer for the boys who use the 
public playgrounds. What matter if no 
real records are broken? What matter 
if no athletic club gains any glory? 
What matter if no champions are de- 
veloped? The real good of the 1915 
athletic contests is found in the greater 
interest engendered in the youngsters 
for the open air. All large cities face 
the same conditions, life on the streets 
under unhealthy conditions. Playgrounds 
ameliorate these conditions, but the 
playgrounds don't advertise and many 
boys would not use them were it not for 
something to hold their interest. These 
1915 games deserve the highest measure 
of success because they advertise the 



THE FINAL BOSTON-1915 GAMES 



23S 




ALL OUT FOR THE INTERMEDIATE HUNDRED" 



playgrounds and the playgrounds mean 
life to many youngsters living m the 

^'tiie Post of July 29 said: "Those 
1915 games are the greatest thmg that 
ever happened for the youngsters around 



Boston. Coming as they do, practically 
every week, and with such competent 
instructors, both in the athletic and 
swimming line in charge, Boston should 
gradually come back to its old 'rep' in 
the sporting line. Dr. Harrington and 




THE SENIOR HUNDRED 



234 



NEW BOSTON 




TllK INTERMEDIATE HUNDUKl) 



Director Young deserve considerable 
credit for the efficient programme of 
events they have outlined for the school 
boys." 

The Post also said: "The 1915 games 
at Wood Island Park look to be the 
big event in the athletic world this 
afternoon. And from all indications 



there should be some sterling perform- 
ances in order. I never saw the youngster 
athletes take so keenly to games as they 
have to the new association's, and from 
the showing they have made in the pre- 
liminary contests the East Boston track 
should resemble a regular interscholastic 
or a miniature B. A. A. meeting. The 




THE BROAD JUMP 



THE FINAL BOSTON-1915 GAMES 



335 




THE FINISH OF THE MIEE 



rivalry between the different coaches 
directing the various playgrounds has 
likewise become almost as great as that 
of the athletes, and when Coaches 
O'Rielly, O'Brien, Mathews and O'Don- 
nell send some off their charges along 
there should be more than one record in 
danger. In all, they tell me, there will 
be something like 800 athletes in line; 



so out of the bunch there surely ought to 
be more than a few who will step a bit." 
The Journal said: "The 1915 track 
and field sports for the young athletes of 
Boston have been highly successful and 
those who have had charge of the games 
are to be congratulated. It is a capital 
move to interest young men in healthful 
outdoor exercise, and the experience of 




ONE OF THE INTERMEDIATE DASHES 



236 



NEW BOSTON 









i-^- ^>^ -.'-^ 


\W ^ 





THE MIDGETS ON THE LINE 



clean, fair competition will prove a 
benefit to these young athletes in after 
life. For a time I had grave fears that 
New York would outclass us in track 
sports on account of the many sets of 
games of the Public School League, but 
those in charge of the 1915 movement 
have come to the fore and have done a 
lot to develop athletics. When 1915 
does arrive Boston should boast of some 
star athletes." 



The Herald commented thus: "The 
championship promises to be a grand 
contest, witii Columbus Avenue and 
Marcella Street the favorites. Every one 
of the district stars who were prominent 
in the preliminary sectional meets will 
be on hand, and as several of the boys 
have been prominent in the big meets 
about Greater Boston this summer, the 
indications point to some exceptionally 
high-class competitions." 



^^^I^^^^^^Hks^ .^Sfa^K'^v 




i 


't 'i ** 




wi ""^ , i 




^m 





THE MILK SITUATION 



MRS. WILLIAM LOWELL PUTNAM 



A great deal of attention has been di- 
rected to the milk supply of Boston 
lately — contractors, producers, and rail- 
roads have all clamored that their earn- 
ings were too small, or if this excuse 
could hardly do duty, that they would 
be too small if such and such things 
happened, and the consumer, the patient 
consumer, has paid more each time, to get 
less, as the years have gone by. 

The interest in the situation, however, 
has not been confined to those who have 
wrangled and threatened; there has been 
one other body of people, who have not 
made much noise, but who have listened 
and observed, and who are biding their 
time to act, the largest and most im- 
portant body of all, without whom all 
the other elements in this struggle (for 
a struggle the others have made it) are 
nothing;— without a market for their 
milk, of what good is it to the producers, 
contractors, and railroads to adjust their 
prices? 

This is the age of organization, com- 
binations of capital, and labor unions 
have made themselves strong, and by 
their united action great things have 
been accomplished. The Standard Oil 
Company, for instance, through the Corn 
Refining Products Company, has raised 
the price of certain cattle feeds fifty 
per cent, which heavily increases the 
price of milk production and a few years 
ago the contractors in the milk business 
openly combined in fixing the price of 
milk. Since the Sherman anti-trust law 
was passed, all combinations have had to 
be very carefully managed, but it is not 
difficult to arrange these in such a way 
that much astuteness is required to 
prove their existence. Two men can 
speak to one another in the street, why 
not? And if either of them later happens 
to meet a third — again, why not? 

Attorney General O'Malley unearthed 
such a combination in New York last 
year, in November, 1909, aroused to 
his incjuiries by the sudden increase in 
the price of milk from eight to nine cents 
a quart. The contractors said this was 



necessary, intimating that their profits 
were too small to permit their selling 
milk at eight cents; that so suicidal a 
policy would result in sudden dissolution 
to these public benefactors, etc., etc. 
But the hard-hearted prosecuting at- 
torney continued his investigations with 
the result here given in his own words: 

At the time that the raise was made in the price 
of bottled milk, many of the dealers announced 
that the raise was made necessary by the additional 
cost of milk paid to the producers by the dealers 
and on account of the additional cost in handling. 
This state of facts, it is clearly shown, did not 
exist. For the average price paid by the dealers to 
the producers in the year 1909 for milk was slightly 
less than that paid to producers in the year 1908. 
Furthermore, the examination of the books of 
some of the largest dealers revealed the following 
state of facts: 

One company showed net profits, after all charges 
and expenses of every kind and nature had been 
deducted, on fluid milk alone, New York and 
Chicago, for the nine months ending September 
30, 1909, of $779,407.92, and for the corresponding 
nine months during the year 1908, $439,054.80, 
showing that during the same period in 1909, the 
net profits of fluid milk alone. New York and 
Chicago, increased $340,353.12 over the preceding 
year. This company's total net profits for the year 
ending September ^30, 1909, were $2,617,029.40. 
The total capital stock of this company, issued and 
outstanding during that year, was $25,000,000, of 
which $15,428,408.46 was issued for trademarks, 
patents and good will, it being merely a balancing 
entry on their books. This company, during its 
ten years of existence, paid nearly every year a 
dividend of 6 per cent on its preferred stock and 
a dividend of 10 per cent on its common stock, 
and during that time has succeeded in rolling up 
a surplus of $8,824,230.59 in addition 

Another company, which was incorporated about 
eight years ago, .... showed that the net earnings 
for the eight months ending October 31, 1909, after 
deducting all charges and expenses of every kind 
and nature, were $257,923.47, which is over 120 
per cent made in eight months on the amount 
originally invested in this company eight years 



ago 

These are only two of the instances which show 
that the raise in price from eight to nine cents a 
quart for bottled milk to the consumers about 
November 1, 1909, was not justified, either by the 
increase in price paid to the producer for milk or 
by the increased cost in handling, the figures show- 
ing that the enormous profits realized in the year 
1908 were greatly exceeded by those realized in 
the year 1909, up to November 1st, when the price 
to the consumer was raised. 

Philadelphia has been just going 
through the throes of a milk rate war. 



238 



NEW BOSTON 



In August last the large contractors 
raised the price of a quart of milk to 
nine cents, but the small dealers declared 
that they were making a fair profit by 
selling it at eight cents, and they should 
maintain that price until they were 
obliged to pay more to the farmers. 
The frugal Pennsylvania housewives as- 
serted themselves in no uncertain terms. 
They gave up dealing with the large 
contractors and flocked to the small 
men in such numbers that there was 
nothing for the large dealers to do but 
to reduce their price again and try to 
win back the trade which they had lost 
in the few days during which they had 
kept the price at nine cents. Now one 
of them is casting aspersions on the 
quality of the milk of the little dealers 
and pointing out the bad condition of 
the general milk supply of Philadelphia. 
In this he is undoubtedly right, as is 
stated by both the health authorities 
and the Bureau of Municipal Research. 
It would be interesting to know, how- 
ever, how much effect the quality of his 
milk really had on the price he asked. The 
better product should command a higher 
price than an inferior article, unques- 
tionably, but it is exceedingly improbable 
that all the small dealers sold bad milk, 
and nobody has ever suggested that the 
milk of all of the large ones was what 
it' ought to have been. 

How is it in Boston? Are the con- 
tractors here charging more than a fair 
profit, and is their product all it ought 
to be? The former question is hard to 
answer, but some light has been thrown 
on it during the controversy here and 
the resulting investigations, and the 
second will be answered in trying to 
answer the first. 

On the first of last May a strike was 
called l)y the producers because, as they 
stated, they could not afford to produce 
milk for the pay they were receiving and 
the contractors refused them an increase. 
A special committee was appointed by 
the Legislature to investigate the whole 
situation. This committee consisted of 
seven members, four of whom had 
already publicly pledged themselves to 
support the farmers before they accepted 
positions on this committee. The proceed- 
ings lasted for over three weeks and 
during that time some valuable testi- 
mony was brought out. 



It was first shown that the farmers of 
Massachusetts and the adjoining states 
were receiving a sum for their milk too 
small to live on, or to permit the milk to 
be produced, in general, in a way to ensure 
health to the consumer. Of course this 
question of a living price to the farmers 
is immensely affected by the daily yield 
of a cow compared with the amount of 
her feed. Most farmers do not yet under- 
stand this, and, therefore, although the 
average annual yield of butter per cow 
in the United States has increased during 
the last five years from sixty-one pounds 
to 155 pounds, yet, nevertheless, it is 
estimated by good judges that one- 
fourth of all the cows in the country are 
kept at a loss, and that another fourth 
barely pay for themselves. This is a 
very serious condition and affects the 
whole problem of milk production from 
a financial standpoint more than any- 
thing else. 

The strike was finally settled by the 
contractors paying the farmers seven 
cents more a can for their milk than they 
had been receiving, and resulted in 
raising the price to the consumer one 
cent a quart. As a can contains eight 
and one-half quarts it is evident that the 
contractors came out from the strike 
with a gain of one and one-half cents 
for every can of milk sold at retail, the 
producers also received seven cents more 
per can, and the consumers paid eight 
and one-half cents more than they had 
paid before ; the producers and the middle- 
men w^ere well satisfied — but how was it 
with the consumers? Perhaps this can 
be best answered by the fact that they 
have since formed an organization of 
their own — a combination not in "re- 
straint of trade" surely, but to promote 
fair trade, that producers and middlemen 
may each receive the pay which is re- 
quired for the proper production and care 
of milk but no more, and that the milk 
shall be of such a quality that people 
may use it with a sense of security which 
they cannot now enjoy. 

Another fact brought out at the hear- 
ing was that the bacteria in milk during 
the strike had in some instances exceeded 
19,000,000 to the cubic centimeter (a 
cubic centimeter is equal to about a 
thimbleful), and that this number quad- 
ruples the number of bacteria in the 



THE MILK SITUATION 



239 



crude sewage discharged into Boston 
harbor. This milk which was so heavily 
freighted with undesirable occupants 
came from considerable distances, and 
yet the contractors testified that it was 
cheaper for them to bring this milk to 
Boston than milk which was produced 
nearer home. This testimony has two 
bearings, first on the railroad rates, the 
second also on the price of milk for 
by restricting the quantity supplied to 
Boston the supply is diminished. 

Railroad rates are always less pro- 
portionately for long distances than for 
short ones. To a certain extent this 
is inevitable. It is just as much a 
trouble to load and unload cars for 
short hauls as it is for long ones, and yet 
it is so manifestly opposed to the inter- 
ests of the consumer that milk should 
come from long distances, that the rail- 
roads, as public-service corporations, 
should do all that is reasonable to favor 
short hauls for the sake of the public 
whom they serve and the latest indica- 
tions are that they will do so. 

iVs to the second point, speaking in 
answer to a question why he did not 
ordinarily bring in milk from New York 
if it was cheaper, as he stated, one of 
Boston's largest contractors said: 

Contractor: The price ■would be lowered neces- 
sarily by the excessive quantity of milk that was 
brought in. 

Senator Meaney: You don't need to use this 
local milk if you don't want to, do you? You could 
use the New York milk exclusively, there wouldn't 
be any need of any surplus on your hands, unless 
you chose to have it? 

Contractor: No, but a market that is flooded 
isn't in as healthy a condition, that would be our 
reason for not inviting a foreign market here. 

Senator Meaney: You mean somebody else 
would get this local milk in competition with you? 

Contractor: Very likely they would. 

Senator Meaney: And would be able, although 
they paid a higher price than you, to sell it at a 
lower price? 

Contractor: No, they couldn't do that. 

Senator Meaney: Well then, what would be the 
evil? 

Contractor: There would be so much milk on 
the market that there would be at times a tempta- 
tion to sell it very cheap. 

Senator Meaney: Sell it cheaper to the consumer? 

Contractor: Yes, everybody would get it cheaper 
that handled it. 

Senator Meaney: Well, if you could buy it 
cheaper, there wouldn't be much objection in .sell- 
ing it cheaper, would there? 

Contractor: No, but I think that we all admit 
that there is a more healthy condition if there 
isn't a flooded market, whether it be milk, potatoes 
or anything else. 



Senator Meaney: Well, the flooded mirket 
would be occasioned by your bringing in the New 
York milk, and the local milk would be turned over 
to some other contractors, is that the idea? 

Contractor: Yes. 

The action referred to previously as 
brought by the attorney general of New 
York state was brought on the ground 
of a "combination to limit and lessen the 
supply of milk in the state of New York 
and to fix and control the price thereof." 
It appears to have distinct bearing on 
the testimony quoted. 

Further testimony before' this special 
Legislative Committee showed that the 
amount of money appropriated by the 
city of Boston for its Health Department 
permitted the employment of only three 
assistants for the milk inspector whose 
duties are to inspect the premises and 
milk of seven large contractors, 170 small 
dealers and between 3,700 and 3,800 shops 
where milk is sold. This shows the utter 
impossibility of an adequate inspection 
of the milk after it reaches Boston and 
no provision for inspection of the farms 
that supply Boston with milk was ever 
made until this summer when Dr. Durgin, 
chairman of the Board of Health, asked 
for an appropriation for the purpose. 
Considerable credit for this is due one 
member of the legislative committee, but 
this movement would have been made 
long ago had the board had the support 
of public opinion. No health officer 
can go too far in advance of the public 
demand else his regulations do more 
harm than good by rousing antagonism 
in those who should sup])ort him. The 
milk inspector of this city is a man of 
deserved reputation throughout the 
coimtry, and in so far as has been pos- 
sible he and the Board of Health, whose 
chairman is one of the two or three 
leading sanitarians in the LTnited States, 
have done all they could to make the 
milk supplied to Boston as good as it 
ought to be, but it has been impossible 
for lack of funds, and* more important 
still, as stated above, for lack of the 
support of public opinion, because, grant- 
ing a sufficient quantity of the latter, 
the requisite amount of the former 
would be assured. 

The lack of inspection makes it pos- 
sible for the usual conditions to be not 
so far in advance of those pertaining 
during the strike as one coiUd wish as 



240 



NEW BOSTON 



will be seen from the testimony of another 
contractor whose milk comes in greatest 
measure to Boston, although he also 
sui)i)lies some neighboring cities. This 
man admitted that he collects some of 
his milk only every other day in dis- 
tricts where he gathers but little of this 
perishable fluid, so that by the time this 
milk starts for Boston some of it is already 
thirty-six hours old. It may be said that 
there is but little of this old milk, hence 
the harm done must be slight . This is not 
so, however, for all milk is mixed together 
on its arrival in Boston and the impuri- 
ties which have developed in any of it 
are thus communicated to the whole 
supply, where they find a generous and 
rich soil in which to multiply a thousand- 
fold. This same contractor when asked by 
the commissioner at the hearing before 
the Interstate Commerce Commission if 
he had himself rather drink fresh milk 
twenty-four hours old, or milk pas- 
teurized when twelve hours old, and 
kept for forty-eight hours after pasteuriz- 
ation, promptly disclaimed any desire for 
either, saying that he knew too much 
about the places where the milk came 
from not to be very particular about the 
milk he himself consumed. 

Another of our contractors gets a large 
quantity of his milk from New Hamp- 
shire and Vermont. This milk he 
pasteurizes in Vermont. Some of it is 
fresh and some of it is not so fresh when 
it is put through the process of pasteuri- 
zation, but after it reaches Boston none 
of it is fresh any more, for it is a well- 
known fact that milk when pasteurized 
deteriorates more quickly than raw milk 
and is more liable to contamination, 
and hence should be sealed immediately 
after it is pasteurized and even with 
this ])recaution it shoidd be consumed 
within thirty-six hours at the latest. 
How is it with this milk! We learned of 
this contractor at the hearing before 
the Interstate Commerce Commission 
here, that this milk is brought down 
from Vermout in large tanks, from which 
it is put into cans and delivered to 
peddlers, who in turn bottle it and de- 
liver it to their customers; first, tanks 
which can hardly be sealed, then two 
transfers before delivery, and last but 
not least some of this milk, by his own 
admission,* is kept for forty -eight hours 



after pasteurization before it is sold to 
those who consume it. Would anyone 
knowingly drink this sort of milk him- 
self, much less feed it to babies? And 
yet this is being done all the time, for 
these last two men are supplying an 
enormous amount of the milk of the city. 

There is one good thing which has 
come in a measure out of all this agita- 
tion, and that is the arousing of the 
public. The Bureau of Municipal Re- 
search of Philadelphia in its recent re- 
port says that "the level of milk quality 
cannot rise higher than its supply, and 
dairy farmers will not ordinarily pro- 
duce better milk than is demanded." 
The Massachusetts public is not the 
only one roused; from Maine to Florida, 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the 
papers are full day after day of the 
regulations and prosecutions of the vari- 
ous health boards of the different cities. 
But city inspection is not what is really 
needed, it is only a temporary expedient 
for inspection which should be done not 
only at the farms, but by the states. 

The great importance of state inspec- 
tion of the farms has been forcibly 
brought out in the present typhoid 
fever epidemic in Worcester which has 
been traced to the milk of a certain 
dealer who has been forbidden for the 
present to sell his milk in that city. One 
newspaper making this statement per- 
tinently remarks, however, that it will 
now be sold in some other town near by, 
thus spreading the contagion to other 
places. This thought is causing a clamor 
for a milk inspector in Leicester and 
other neighboring towns and shows the 
urgent need of uniform legislation to 
cover the whole state. Even if Leicester 
and the other towns near Worcester 
succeed in keeping this infected milk 
from being sold to their citizens, there 
is nothing to prevent its being made 
into ice cream or butter and so returning 
to any or all of these places which have 
condemned it. It has been found by 
careful investigation that freezing germs 
does not destroy their vitality, but only 
hinders their increase. The germs of 
tuberculosis have been found to live 
in butter in cold storage for over five 
months and at the end of that time 
to possess sufficient vitality still to give 
the disease to guinea pigs. It may be 



THE MILK SITUATION 



241 



argued that state-wide laws even are 
not enough to protect us from bad butter; 
truly, nor are federal ones, but they are 
the important step to be taken now, 
and an enlightened public opinion will 
in time bring broader ones still. 

A striking instance of the need of 
proper legislation for the protection of 
the public is shown by a decision ren- 
dered in Concord lately. A milkman 
was brought into court by the com- 
monwealth charged with selling milk 
containing a foreign substance, in that 
the milk was contaminated with ma- 
nure. The defendant was acquitted, 
the judge deciding that the law which 
prohibited the sale of milk containing 
any added foreign substance did not 
apply in this case. He stated that as 
the statute read "milk to which water 
or any foreign substance has been added," 
the foreign substance should be of such 
a nature that it must have been added 
with intent, such as coloring matter or 
preservatives. He said further that in 
his opinion the law was intended to aim 
at adulteration which would increase 
the value of the milk by extending it, 
or giving it a better appearance, and did 
not apply to any accidental adulteration. 
The manure in this case was in such 
quantity that the milk was called "very 
dirty" by the prosecutor, and yet from 
these conditions there is no protection 
for the consumer. 

There is no longer room for doubt 
that tuberculosis is transmitted from the 
cow to the human being, particularly 
to children, and the vehicle for this trans- 
mission is milk. Fully twenty per cent 
of the cases of tuberculosis of the intes- 
tines in children are of bovine origin, 
and probably many cases hitherto sup- 
posed to have come from other human 
beings in reality started with the cow. 

It is in comparatively rare instances that 
a cow gives milk infected with tubercle 
bacilli; she does so usually only when the 
udder is itself diseased or in cases of 
generalized tuberculosis, and these cases 
can, as a rule, be detected by a mere 
physical examination of the cow, as she 
is then apt to show the disease in her 
appearance. It is not at all rare, how- 
ever, for a cow, who to all outward 
seeming is in perfect health, fat and well 
liking, to have tuberculosis either 



in the lungs or somewhere in the diges- 
tive tract, in a sufficiently advanced 
stage to be a source of grave danger, 
when even from a careful physical ex- 
amination she would have been pro- 
nounced perfectly sound. Tuberculosis 
of the lungs produces in a cow much the 
same danger as does the same disease 
when its seat is the mesenteric glands 
of the intestine. As a cow never spits 
out what she coughs up from her lungs 
it follows that she must swallow it, 
hence, when the disease is in either of 
these places, and they are the parts 
most frequently attacked, the cow passes 
tubercle bacilli in her feces, often in 
great numbers. This constitutes the 
greatest danger of tuberculosis in cattle, 
for though the numbers of germs passed 
out from the body are not so great as 
when the cow has the disease in the udder, 
the chance of discovering it is less, as 
it may often be far advanced and yet 
only discoverable by the tuberculin test. 
Even if the tuberculin test were not 
needed for the protection of human life, 
it is urgently called for for the financial 
protection of the farmers themselves. 
Dr. Melvin, chief of the Bureau of Animal 
Industry, estimates that this country 
loses in hve stock annually $23,000,000. 

What has been stated above shows 
two things; first and most important, 
the urgent need of cleanliness, and second, 
the benefit to be got from the tuberculin 
test. It has been estimated that the city 
of Berlin consumes 300 pounds of cow 
dung daily in its milk supply, and Berlin 
is not peculiar in this. Cows are not so 
particular about their persons but that 
they will lie down wherever it chances 
to be convenient, and if the barnyard 
is in the condition which is only too 
common in all countries, our own in- 
cluded, their flanks and udders quickly 
become caked with the droppings of any 
or all of the herd. With milking carried 
on in the "good old-fashioned way," 
ungroomed cows and wide-mouthed pails, 
the milker in rubbing his arm and 
shoulder against the cow knocks an 
indefinite amount of this crumbling 
dirt into the milk pail and in this way 
one tubercular cow may contaminate 
the milk of the whole herd. 

The decision of the Concord court 
referred to above shows clearly why 



242 



NEW BOSTON 



this is allowed to go on — there is no law 
to 'prevent it. 

A short time ago a curious thing hap- 
pened in a small shop. The shopkeeper 
had placed on his dip-tank a saucer full 
of arsenic and water to kill the flies that 
infested his shop, and on the arrival of 
the milk inspector to test the milk, 
rather than take the trouble to lift the 
saucer, the man pushed it to one side 
to leave room for the inspector to make 
his examination. In pushing it aside, 
however, it was upset and saucer and all 
slid into the can, full of milk, which had 
but just arrived from the milkman. 
The inspector, filled with sympathy, ex- 
claimed: "Oh! what a pity to have to 
throw away all that fresh milk." "Throw 
it away! Well, I guess not!" cried the 
owner of the shop, and only by the help 
of a policeman was the inspector, no 
longer sympathetic, enabled to accom- 
plish the necessary destruction. This 
man did not intentionally put arsenic 
into his milk, but if people had died 
in consequence of drinking it, would he 
not have been responsible for its being 
there? 

The law ought to be so framed that a 
man shall be held responsible not only 
when he deliberately puts poison into 
his milk, but when, through his neglect 
or carelessness, it gets in even without 
his intention, and it matters not whether 
the poison is an inorganic one like arsenic, 
or an organic one like the germs of dis- 
ease. He is held responsible in the case 
of other foods, and yet these other foods 
are not to be compared in danger with 
milk which from its very nature consti- 
tutes an almost ideal breeding place, so 
perfect that one germ is capable of pro- 
ducing 1,000,000 others within a few 
hours without more help than the tem- 
perature of a warm summer day. 

Last year a number of hideous mur- 
ders were perpetrated, intended to be 
sweeping in their action, the victims 
being a whole family, and the distant 
members were attacked by having sent 
to them ty{)hoid fever germs in a way 
calculated to give them the disease. A 
part of the object was fortunately frus- 
trated, but if the nuu'derer had lived a 
little nearer and been able to use this 
perfect medium of milk in which to 
introduce the germs to his victims he 
might have been even more successful. 



This is what is being unintentionally 
done all the time as the innumerable 
epidemics caused by milk show with pain- 
ful certainty. There is no law to prevent 
this, and nobody responsible for the 
protection of the public health in this 
most vital matter. 

In Massachusetts alone, within the 
short space of four years, there were 
fourteen epidemics of typhoid fever di- 
rectly traced to milk, six of scarlet fever 
and a great number of cases of diph- 
theria. Typhoid fever is a rural disease 
and hence peculiarly liable to get into 
milk, and the difficulty of preventing 
this is much increased by typhoid car- 
riers who may bear the germs 
about with them, although the disease 
itself may have left them a score of 
years before. 

In spite of the enormous quantity of 
illness and the many deaths caused by 
these outbreaks of contagious disease, and 
the great number of cases of tuberculosis 
in children directly traced to a bovine 
source, all these are as nothing in com- 
parison with the deaths of infants from 
cholera infantum and kindred troubles. 
All these belong at the door of the milk 
supply, for they are all caused by food. 
In Massachusetts, at a conservative esti- 
mate, between 2,500 and 3,000 babies 
die every year of these diseases, all of 
them preventable, all of them a disgrace 
to a civilized nation. We talk of con- 
servation of our natural resources — 
what resources are so important to a 
nation as its people, and yet we throw 
away lives with reckless extravagance? 
In the Spanish war we lost fourteen men 
of preventable diseases to every one 
who died of wounds. Out of every 
thousand children born in this state we 
lose about 170 during their first year of 
life. 

The object to be aimed at in purifying 
our milk supply is the complete preven- 
tion of the transmission of disease in 
milk, and although this can never be 
absolutely accomplished, nothing short 
of it must ever satisfy us. It is more 
than time that this state, which has 
always prided itself on its thrift and 
foresight, should show that it has not 
forgotten its traditions. If love of 
humanity cannot do it, at least prudence 
should counsel the prevention of this 
waste of human life. 



» 



BACK TO THE FARM 

Some Reasons for Bad and Good Milk 




TIE-UP WITH UIHTY, DEFECTn E ELOOR, CEILING AND BACK 




A CLEAN, WELL LIGHTED, WELL VENTILATED BASEMENT TIE-UP 



244 



NEW BOSTON 




MILK ROOM IN THE BASEMENT OF A TENEMENT HOUSE 




COW SHED SHOWING DEFECTIVE FLOORING AND DRAIN 



BACK TO THE FARM 



245 




cow BARN WITH LITTLE PROVISION FOR LIGHT 

Tons of valuable manure losing much of its value through rain 




DAIRY OWNER AND EMACIATED COW 



[€46 



NEW BOSTON 




FOUL MILK ROOM WITH FOUL UTENSILS 




AN INEXPENSIVE »UT CLEAN DAIRY HOUSE 



The Milk-Protective Work of the Board of 
Health of Montclair, N. J. 

M. N. BAKER 

President Montclair Board of Health and Editor Engineering News, New York 



Sixteen years ago, when the popula- 
tion of Montclair was about ten thousand, 
the town was visited by a serious typhoid 
epidemic. Within the space of a few 
weeks some eighty cases and a dozen 
or more deaths resulted. A careful in- 
vestigation showed that all those who 
suffered and died from the disease were 
supplied from a single milk dealer whose 
dairy was located just outside the town 
limits. Further investigation disclosed 
the familiar cycle: A light case of ty- 
phoid fever on the part of a son of the 
milkman; a surface privy near and at 
a higher elevation than the shallow 
well on the milkman's premises; the 
use of water from this well to wash the 
dairy utensils; and the spread of typhoid 
fever along the route of the milkman, 
with the tragic results already stated. 

In those days Montclair, like most 
communities of ten thousand at that 
time, had no properly-constituted board 
of health. In common with other town- 
ships of the state, various local officials 
were rather loosely joined together and 
charged with looking after the health 
of the town. The princely sum of $200 
a year, or two-fifths of a cent per capita, 
was divided equally between the salary 
of a "health officer" and "incidental" 
expenses of the Board of Health. About 
all the town got for the money was the 
inspection and sometimes the abate- 
ment of the grossest offenses to nose and 
eye caused by neglected privies and 
overflowing cesspools, together with some 
placarding of houses and burning of 
sulphur for cases of scarlet fever and 
diphtheria. 

About the time the typhoid outbreak 
occurred, the local government was in 
process of change from towmship to town. 
With the change came a Board of Health 
of five members, chosen by the town 
council, and dependent upon it for ap- 
propriations, but vested with absolute 
legislative and administrative powers, 



up to the limitations set or authority 
granted by the rather liberal state 
health act. 

The first and most important act of 
the new board was the selection of a 
health officer. Instead of choosing a 
physician whose first thought would be 
his private practice, his second his per- 
sonal ease and pleasure, and his third 
the work of the board, application was 
made to Prof. William T. Sedgwick, of 
the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- 
nology, for a graduate of that school 
who had been trained in sanitary engi- 
neering, chemistry and bacteriology. The 
young engineer sent by Professor Sedg- 
wick was made the executive officer of 
the Board, with no other duties than to 
look after the health of the town. 

Whatever success the Montclair Board 
of Health has had, whether in dealing 
with the milk supply or other problems, 
has been largely due to the two condi- 
tions just mentioned: (1) Possession 
by it of full legislative and administra- 
tive power, limited only by the laws of 
the state; and (2) the employment of 
full-time technically trained health offi- 
cers, graduates of schools of sanitary 
engineering, chemistry and bacteriology, 
rather than of schools of medicine. A 
third and scarcely less important ele- 
ment in the success of the Board has been 
absolute freedom from politics. 

With the lessons of the milk epidemic 
of typhoid fever fresh in the minds of 
the members of the Board of Health 
and of the public alike, it is not surpris- 
ing that a large part of the work of the 
Board has been directed to the milk 
supply, nor that the public has stood 
back of the Board in its eft'orts to secure 
clean milk, free from the germs of 
disease. 

The need and value of close sanitary 
supervision of the milk supply has been 
emphasized again and again by out- 
breaks of diphtheria and scarlet fever, 



NEW BOSTON 



which have hecii shown by ai)j)arently 
good evidence to have been due to milk 
infection. At first thought, these out- 
breaks might seem to disprove rather 
than prove the value of milk supervision, 
since we have seemed to have more 
milk outbreaks of communicable disease 
in Moiilclair than have other communi- 
ties of like size in which no attention is 
given to the sanitary character of the 
milk supply. The facts are that our 
system of investigating every case of 
communicable disease and of inspecting 
every dairy at frequent intervals dis- 
closes relationships between the two 
which are never dreamed of in many 
other communities. Coupled with this, 
is our practice of giving the widest pub- 
licity to all the factors in the origin and 
spread of epidemics and even minor 
outbreaks of communicable disease, as 
opposed to the practice of concealment 
which until quite recently was almost 
universal, lest "business" should be 
injured. 

Let it be understood before I go fur- 
ther, that the Montclair system of 
safeguarding the public milk supply did 
not spring up in a day. The great 
typhoid epidemic showed the need of 
careful supervision and led to safe- 
guards which w^ere radical at the time 
of their introduction. The lesser out- 
breaks of other diseases disclosed weak- 
nesses in our defensive system and led 
to more stringent protective measures. 

In the early days of the Board, be- 
ginning in 1894, dairy inspection was 
the chief reliance against infected milk. 
Gradually, rules were evolved and placed 
before the milk pi-oducers for their ob- 
servance. About 1898 a thorough-going 
milk ordinance was drawn, submitted 
to Professor Sedgwick for expert criti- 
cism, and then made the subject of a 
conference between the Board and the 
milk dealers. Valuable suggestions from 
Professor Sedgwick and the milkmen were 
nuide the basis of changes in the draft 
of the ordinance before its final enact- 
ment. 

For many years our milk reguhitions 
of 1898 served our purpose well, but on 
coming to a general revision of our 
Sanitary Code in 1907 it was found de- 
sirable to strengthen the milk section 
in some particulars, in accordance with 



lessons drawn from our own experience 
and also from that of the many boards of 
health and sanitary investigators who 
had taken up the subject within the past 
few years. 

It would be more tiresome than help- 
ful to attempt to trace in more detail 
the evolution of our milk regulations 
and our system of dairy inspection. I 
will therefore confine the remainder of 
this article to a general outline of our 
milk-protective work. 

To place the milk supply of the town 
within the control of the Board, we 
require, first of all, that every milk 
dealer file with the board a complete 
statement of the localities and persons 
whence the milk he sells is derived. 
The same information must be given re- 
garding the ice used to cool the milk. 
To trace without loss of time the possible 
relationships between the milk supply 
and cases of communicable disease, 
every dealer must file with the board on 
June 15 and December 15 of each year, 
and at any other time on three days' 
notice, a list of all the pefi'sons to whom 
he is selling milk. 

Strict rules are laid down regarding 
the cleanliness, ventilation and lighting 
of stables, the exclusion of diseased cows 
from the dairy herds, the food and water 
supply of the cows, the cleanliness of 
cows and of the milkers, and the exclusion 
from among those engaged in milking 
or in handling the milk or milk utensils 
of any and all persons suffering from 
diphtheria, typhoid or scarlet fever and 
other specified diseases. Cooling the 
milk to 50° F. within forty-five minutes 
after it is drawn from the cows and 
keeping it at or below that temperature 
until it is delivered to the consumers is 
compulsory. Milk supplies having bac- 
terial contents in excess of 100,000 per 
cubic centimeter on two or more different 
days are liable to exclusion from town. 

Separate mention deserves to be made 
of a long-standing requirement to the 
effect that no milk shall be delivered in 
town except from cows which are certi- 
fied by a reputable veterinarian as having 
been examined by him and found to be 
free from disease. In the revision of 
1907 there was added to this recpiire- 
ment a provision that the examination 
should include the tuberculin test, and 



THE MILK-PROTECTIVE WORK 



249 



that all cows reacting to the test should 
be removed from the herd. All dealers 
but one complied with this requirement. 
This one has secured the temporary 
setting aside of the requirement, pending 
a suit in the courts. Meanwhile most 
of the other dealers are continuing to 
make the tuberculin test voluntarily. 

Health codes and ordinances are of 
little value unless efficient means are 
taken for their enforcement. For many 
years past the dairies supplying Mont- 
clair have been inspected at regular 
intervals. Most of the separate sup- 
plies are inspected two or three times a 
year, and some oftener, if occasion de- 
mands. One large supply, from a num- 
ber of separate herds 150 miles distant, 
is generally inspected but once a year. 
On the inspections a score card is used 
to determine the standing of the dairies 
as a whole, when compared with ideal 
conditions. 

Bacterial counts and examinations of 
the milk for fats, solids and evidences 
of watering are made at least once a 
month, as a rule. Particular attention 
is given to the bacterial counts and to 
the temperature of the milk, as these 
are taken as the best possible evidences 
of cleanliness and carefulness, or the 
reverse, on the part of the dairymen. 

Publicity is given to the results of 
both dairy inspections and milk analyses 
through the annual reports of the board. 
Here are published the detailed findings 
for each dairy, a general summary for 
each dairy, and the relative standing 
of the several dairies as regards bacterial 
counts, fats and solids and dairy score 
cards. Every householder in town is 
supplied with either a copy of the annual 
report or reprint pages therefrom giving 
the milk data just described. 

The net results of the milk-protective 
work of the Montclair Board of Health is 
in part reflected by the average of the 



bacterial counts for the first six months 
of the present year. Three of the eleven 
dealers supplying the town showed less 
than 7,000 bacteria per cubic centimeter 
for that period; seven showed less than 
and an eighth just over 50,000; all but 
one were below 84,000. One dealer 
alone exceeded 100,000. His average 
was 288,000 for the six months. Since 
the half year closed it has been discovered 
that this high-count dealer had been 
making up shortages from his regular 
supply by purchases from small, unin- 
spected dairies, which he had failed to 
report to the board. He has been brought 
into court and fined for this violation 
of the ordinance. Although the bacterial 
showing was unusually good the first 
half of this year, due to special efforts 
by both the board and the dealers, most 
of the milk sellers have kept well below 
100,000 for a number of years past and 
a few have almost invariably kept their 
average far below that figure. As a 
rule, there has been an explanation for 
every high count — generally temporary 
carelessness or neglect of some essential 
feature of cleanliness or failure to get 
and keep the temperature of the milk 
down to 50° F. 

I make no attempt to show the effect 
of our milk-protective work on the 
health of the community, since that work 
is only a part of what is being done to 
reduce the sickness and death rates, 
and to cut down communicable diseases 
and infant mortalit3\ Those who wish 
to study the yearly records of commun- 
icable diseases, infantile mortality, and 
the general death rate in conjunction 
with the details of our milk-protective 
work can secure the latest annual report 
of the board by addressing C. H. Wells, 
Health Officer, Montclair, N. J., to whom 
the credit of our milk-protective work 
since he assumed office some five years 
ago is almost wholly due. 




Prompt Birth Returns — The Prime Need and 
Foundation of PubHc Health Work 



RICHARD C. CABOT, M.D. 



Are birth statistics of practical, tan- 
gible value? 

Most assuredly. 

Do they really help us to save lives 
and to lessen suffering? 

That is just what they do. 

Somehow people are down on statistics 
today, as if they were the province of 
some spectacled, dry-as-dust professor. 
But in fact we need them in public-health 
work as the navigator needs a map, as 
the traveller needs an up-to-date time 
table. Statistics settle what we ought 
to do next, which direction to work in, 
what is worth pushing for. We have no 
more practical guide to action. 

Yet the United States is utterly bar- 
baric in her carelessness about vital 
statistics. We are classed with Turkey 
and Central Africa when it comes to 
any knowledge of the prevailing causes 
of death and the actual rates of birth. 
We are outside the pale of civilized na- 
tions, because less than forty per cent 
of our people think it worth while to 
keep any proper records of births and 
deaths. Only seventeen states have any 
accurate death statistics and not a single 
state has even a fairly complete registra- 
tion of births. 

I will not dwell on the importance of 
accurate and complete registration of 
births, on the dreadful possibilities of 
doubt and error about parentage and 
descent, rnarriage-age, voting-age, child 
labor, and the many other vital matters 
in which we need the most positive and 
definite knowledge. To settle exactly 
when you were born may become at any 
moment a life or death need. 

But since Boston is to be congratu- 
lated on her remarkably complete regis- 
tration of births, I am not concerned to 
lecture the rest of Massachusetts on its 
culpable carelessness about them. Bos- 
ton's Registry Department under E. W. 
McGlennen has succeeded in securing 
registration of nearly all the babies and 
deserves great credit for its work. 



My concern is not tvith completeness 
but ivith 'promptness. If we are to stop 
gonorrhoeal eye disease and the blindness 
that so often results in new born babies 
we must catch them while they are new 
born. A birth record four to six weeks 
behind the facts is of no use to us. That 
baby's eyes will be long past praying for 
if we are to wait weeks or months before 
getting after them with silver nitrate 
solution. The records of the Massachu- 
setts Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary 
prove that we cannot always trust the 
doctor or the midwife to protect the 
baby's eyes. After days and weeks of 
needless, cruel suffering — needless because 
preventable — these poor babies drift into 
the Eye and Ear Infirmary with the 
pus oozing from their inflamed eyes — 
often too late to save their eyesight. 

Now if the Board of Health knew of 
every birth in the city of Boston within 
forty-eight hours of its occurrence it would 
be within the board's power to stop thirty 
per cent of all the blindness that is brought 
about every year — or in other words, to 
check gonorrhoeal ophthalmia by the 
prompt, early, persistent application of 
one per cent silver nitrate solution. 
Provided the board had money sufficient 
to supply the requisite number of 
visitors it would be in their power to 
right this great wrong, to correct this 
shameful blunder which has been allowed 
to exist so long. Very possibly the board 
might not consider it best directly or 
immediately to exercise this power. 
It might be better to allow private 
agencies, medical societies or individual 
initiative to take advantage of the knowl- 
edge which prompt birth returns would 
furnish. But whether by public or by 
private effort, gonorrhoeal ophthalmia 
ought to be abolished at once. 

Infant mortality — the huge record of 
still births and deaths under one year — 
can never be attacked successfully until 
we have every birth reported as promptly 
as every case of smallpox is. Every 



PROMPT BIRTH RETURNS 



251 



birth, like every case of smallpox, means 
a new risk to the community — and a 
new opportunity. Most mothers are 
quite innocent of any understanding of 
their business as mothers. The new life 
is launched without a rudder or a pilot, 
and its course is far more dangerous than 
that of any craft afloat. If the city 
wants to check the waste of infant life 
it must see that every child gets a fair 
start with some decent care around it. 
Some mothers can be taught, some can 
be supervised, some are competent and 
need no help. Most of the ignorant 
ones love their babies and welcome any 
tactful offer of expert advice. But if in 
the hot summer time, when babies die 
so terribly fast, we have nowhere any 
official record of a child's birth until 
weeks or months after it occurs, — "too 
late" will be the verdict of doctor or 
nurse in many many cases next summer 
and every summer as in the past. 

I am not pretending to say what the 
Board of Health will do with these prompt 
birth records when it gets them. No 
wholesale interference with the bringing 
up of healthy babies is desired by anyone. 
But I believe that no one will deny my 
thesis that the Board of Health has the 
right and the duty to know of every 
birth in the city of Boston within forty- 
eight hours of its occurrence. 

Other American cities have recently 
awakened to this need. In New York 
state all but the four large cities are now 
living under a law which compels the 
reporting of all births within thirty- 
six hours. I have reports from the health 
officers of Rochester, Syracuse and Utica, 
stating that there is no considerable 
difficulty in enforcing the law. Why 
should we not have the same success in 
Boston provided a law requiring prompt 
birth returns were enacted.'* 

Thereby hangs a long and ludicrous 
tale. Massachusetts has enacted legis- 
lation which theoretically abolishes the 
midwife. Midwives (legally) do not 
exist in Massachusetts. Yet these (legally) 
non-existent midwives are legally required 
to report births! And what is more they 
do report in Lawrence twenty-seven per 
cent of all the births. 

In Boston a midwife can be jailed for 
plying her trade, yet she is paid by the 



city when (as not very infrequently 
happens) she reports a birth. As a rule 
she shields herself behind a doctor who 
comes in after the child is born, receives 
a "rake off" and reports the birth in 
his own name. 

Until this humiliating state of things 
is changed, it is not likely that we shall 
have prompt birth returns. The mid- 
wives are here to stay. They are desired 
by a large element of our population. 
If properly examined and licensed by the 
state, they can fill a definite and useful 
function here, as they do in other iVmeri- 
can states and in Europe. As it is at 
present, we put a premium on the ser- 
vice of the lowest and most ignorant 
class of women. If refused a license in 
New York or elsewhere, they have only 
to settle in this state where (since they 
are legally a fiction) , no examination or 
registration is required. Here they can 
practice unmolested and be paid for 
reporting births! 

Nothing could be more absurd and 
corrupt than our present system, whereby 
the venial doctor and the ignorant mid- 
wife work together to defraud the state 
and endanger the public health. 

To Summarize: 

1. Births may now be reported in 
Massachusetts as late as six weeks after 
their occurrence. In some cities they 
are not reported for months. A physi- 
cian has been known to report 200 births 
in one bunch in December. 

2. The precious days — for public 
health work — are the first two to three 
after the child's birth. It is by getting 
in touch with the family at that time 
that health officers and private agencies 
can accomplish results in preventing 
infant mortality and loss of sight. 

3. We need legislation requiring (in 
large cities at any rate) the reporting of 
births within thirty-six hours. In country 
districts three days is probably a proper 
allowance. 

4. Until midwives are examined, li- 
censed and freed from the shameful 
necessity of paying doctors a commis- 
sion for falsely reporting births, it is 
not probable that we shall get prompt 
birth reports. 



THE ELF CHILD 

LILIAN V. ROBINSON 

Dramatics for children have so many 
possible evils to offset their educational 
value, that the Hawthorne Club, a South 
End neighborhood house, has done little 
in the past to encourage its members 
in their frequently expressed desire "to 
give a show." Surrounded as the Haw- 
thorne Club is with cheap theaters, 
nickelodeons and moving picture shows, 
and having had among its members 
stage children of tender years whose 
little bodies, minds and voices showed 
the evil results of the strain they had 
undergone, the club was somewhat lack- 
ing in enthusiasm for the possibilities 
which might accompany dramatic train- 
ing. 

It was not till a few months ago that 
a group of Italian, Jewish and Irish club 
children — fourteen in all — varying in 
age from five to eleven years — were 
allowed to give a musical play, "The Elf 
Child." No child was permitted to re- 
hearse for over half an hour at a time — 
the rehearsals covering altogether about 
ten hours. The children used such 





DEiEUiKD ELF CHILD 

"Nay, they arc gone, and nought is left 

but the echo" 



PROLOGUE 

"Think that you see, from left to right. 
A woodland, sun-kissed, dappled, bright." 

gestures as they wished (with a few sug- 
gestions), and were never allowed to 
strain their voices, or to rehearse or give 
the play except in the morning or after- 
noon in a clean, well-aired room. 

The scene of The Elf Child is in a 
forest. The plot is simple. An elf has 
strayed from her companions to the edge 
of the wood, seen the village children 
at play, and followed them to the doors 
of their homes. Invisible to human 
eyes except those of that wise w^oman, 
the herb gatherer, the elf seeks to gain 
a soul and a human home and mother. 
Through her sympathy and care for a 
lost child whom she finds in grief, she 
gains the soul which she had not been 
able to buy with fairy gold or obtain 
through the lore of elfdom. 

The little play, written by Miss 
Mackay, was cut of its more difficult 
passages and set to music by a Haw- 
thorne Club worker. It was first given 
in a room of one of the Hawthorne Club 
houses with the adjoining room for the 
audience of a dozen people. The walls 
of the room which served as a stage were 
completely hidden by young pine trees 
from the Hemenway estate, reaching 
from ceiling to floor and making the air 
delicious with their pungent odor — com- 



THE ELF CHILD 



253 




CHORUS OF CHILDREN WITH PLEADING ELF CHILD 

"Sleep, dolh', sleep" 




"Bird of the wild wood 
Hidden from me" 



'Ciood herh-fiatherer, T seek thy counsel. I h;i\c 
no heart for my elfin ilanees. I want the look 
of human eyes, so deep, so tender" 



354 



NEW BOSTON 



pleting the illusion of a miniature forest. 
One of the older Hawthorne Club mem- 
bers, a girl of seventeen, made every- 
thing in the way of costumes for the play 
except the wings of the elf — buying 
material, cutting and sewing after her 
working day was over, and without aid 
from anyone. 

The Elf Child was repeated a few 
weeks ago on the grounds of the Nahant 
Club (formerly the old Tudor estate). 
Here the beautiful trees on the smooth 
lawn formed a natural background for 
the play — other trees on the sides form- 
ing the wings of the nature-made theater. 

One Hawthorne Club member of six- 
teen played the musical accompaniments 
upon a piano on the piazza of the Nahant 
Clubhouse; a somewhat difficult per- 
formance since an audience of a hundred 
and fifty sat on the lawn between the 
piazza and the "stage." The sweet 
voices of the children were not strong 
enough to carry any great distance and 




"Now I shall have me a soul, for see, I bring fairy 
gold, all glittering and shining" 




THE ELF FINDS THE LOST t lllLD, AND GAINS A SOUL 

"She is safe, she is safe, O good herb gatherer" 



THE ELF CHILD 



255 



they were warned not to strain them, 
but they gave the play, songs and words, 
without a mistake and with all the grace 
and lack of self-consciousness of child- 
hood. 

The Hawthorne Club directors still 
feel that dramatics must be used, not 
abused, that one is educational, the 
other the exploitation of children, and 
that the latter is frequent though not 
always deliberate. Rehearsals must be 
short, in the day for non-working chil- 
dren, and if for older girls and boys, 
limited to early hours that they may not 
be unfitted (as sometimes happens) for 
their next day's work. The plays them- 
selves must be educational with a sound 
moral. Cheap and vulgar operettas 
and plays have no place in a settlement 
house. Publicitv too must be avoided — 



the audience invited preferably rather 
than admitted by sale of tickets. 

A good deal is gained by letting the 
children make suggestions, use their 
own gestures (instead of imitating) make 
costumes and scenery. Better still, let 
them act out, — using their own words — a 
story which they have read or has been 
read to them. * Even very little children 
do this surprisingly well and gain in 
originality, power of expression and good 
English — not to mention the moral and 
ethical training which the good play 
gives. The Greek myths, Ulysses, 
Arachne, Pandora, Midas, or Pegasus 
all appeal to children, opening a very 
wonderland of charm and mystery and 
creating that good taste which later 
will help to form a more enlightened 
public opinion. 







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THE RETURN OF THE CHILDREN 
"Hush thee sweet and have no fear. 
See the village lights are near" 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 

As the Producer Saw It 

GEORGE P. BAKER 

Professor of Dramatic Literature, Harvard University 



Pageantry, even in the United States, 
is becoming an annual summer amuse- 
ment. The special significance of the 
recent pageant at Peterborough, N. H., 
is not that it was given by a small com- 
munity, though this is rare in modern 
pageantry. It was unique in that as a 
tribute to the late Edward MacDowell, 
whose summer home was in the town, it 
depended musically almost completely 
on his compositions and aimed to be as 
much a memorial of him as of the history 
of Peterborough. It was a pageant as 
much musical as historical. 

It grew from a suggestion to me in 
midwinter by Mrs. ]\IacDowell that she 
would like to have in late July or August, 
on the grounds of the Memorial Associa- 
tion, a Pageant of Peterborough. No 
plan was suggested by her. In a second 
talk, after I had told her a little of what 
it seemed to me possible to do with the 
town history, Mrs. MacDowell queried 
whether, since much of her husband's 
music was written in a log cabin on his 
place in Peterborough, it might not be 
fitting to use, with the aid of the local 
choral club, a few selections from some 
of his compositions. In illustration she 
plaved me parts of the "Indian Lodge," 
"Indian Idyl," and "1620." At once the 
unifying idea for which I had been 
searching came to me, and for the first 
time I was completely won to the scheme. 
The mere historical pageant for a place 
not especially rich in history had not 
been altogether alluring, but the unifying 
idea, to compose a pageant which by ex- 
pressing the town's history through the 
MacDowell music should be a tribute 
to him, offered an unique opportunity. 
As, day by day, my associate to whom 
the pageant owes so much for his skil- 
ful, individual, yet reverent orchestra- 
tion, Mr. Clifton, j)layed to me this, 
that and the other of MacDowell's com- 
positions, I saw more and more clearly 
how well MacDowell had expressed the 



life and the poetic significance of this 
New England region. Gradually the 
details of the pageant took shape in my 
mind, and I set aside one composition 
after another for orchestration. It was 
soon clear that, except in one or two 
instances, it would be far better not to 
make selections of parts of the composi- 
tions but to use them in their entirety, 
and that not some three or four but at 
least fifteen should be used. Growing 
thus as I worked, the suggestion that 
I might use two or three selections be- 
came a Pageant of Peterborough History 
as expressed, or as it might be expressed, 
in MacDowell's music. 

Throughout, the spirit of MacDowell 
dominated the work. Poetic, dreamy, 
suggestive, it forbade pure realism in 
most of the pageant; suggestion, as in 
the music, must replace that. This fact 
and the stage, a space about 150 feet 
square levelled on a hillside among great 
pines, forbade as obtrusive any stage- 
settings. The Elizabethan appeal to 
the imagination was tried, and success- 
fully. Moreover, under this influence, 
my search in Peterborough history be- 
came not merely to find the dramatic 
and pictorial, but that which could be 
fused with the moods of the MacDowell 
music and expressed by it. The brief 
musical scenes, in most cases unusually 
brief for dramatic action because limited 
by the length of the MacDowell composi- 
tions, called for some scheme to bind them 
together more than could the fact that 
they were all expressed in MacDowell 
music. Moreover, the length of these 
musical scenes made it inartistic that 
the intercalated purely dramatic scenes 
should be of much greater length. It 
became necessary to say one's dramatic 
say in the most condensed way. These 
complicated demands made my writing 
of the i)ageant — the selection of the music, 
of the episodes to be presented, the com- 
positions of the prose portions — perhaps 



258 



NEW BOSTON 



the most delightful dramatic task I have 
ever faced. To balance fact and fancy, 
the serious and even the tragic with the 
amusing, to determine the proportions 
to be given, because of the nearness of our 
stage to the audience, to the spoken word, 
singing, dancing, pantomime, all this was 
absorbing because at every turn so dif- 
ferent from the conditions of the regular 
stage. I should like here to acknowl- 
edge the perfect comprehension and 
accord with which my colleagues de- 
veloped my plans for the pageant: Mr. 
Hagedorn in writing the lyrics, which 
have deservedly won great praise, under 
constant harassment because most of 
the music was not intended for words, 
and because I often spoiled his first 
choice in expression by the special work 
I wished the particular lyric to accom- 
plish in the total effect; Mr. Clifton in 
his remarkable orchestration and much 
of the final training of the chorus; and 
Miss Valentine in the charming dances. 
Nor could the pageant have been forced 
through in the brief time permitted, 
some ten weeks for the composing 
and for the training of the actors, had it 
not been the unswerving confidence in 
us, the seconding resourcefulness and 
indomitable courage of Mrs. MacDowell 
herself. 

The pageant was based on the thought 
that, born from the dreams of men, inter- 
preted in them, history begins and is 
represented. In the log-cabin that was 
his "House of Dreams," MacDowell dwelt 
on this New England scenery and history 
till its mystery and its beauty became 
his. My aim was to find its expression 
in his music, supplementing here and 
there with an episode purely dramatic 
for purposes of exposition or contrast. 
As a whole, I wanted the pageant to 
convey clearly the message of Peter- 
borough history, that labor is born of 
man's dreams and in labor the dreams 
come true; in brief, the truth of Lucy 
Larcom's lines : 

East and West 
Life beckons. Nothing satisfies the soul 
But opportunity for nobler work 
And glimpses of illimitable fields. 

To the music of some bars of 'Tn Deep 
Woods," and as the chorus sang the 
lyric Mr. Hagedorn had written for 
"From a Log Cabin," Clio opened the 



pageant, summoning her sister muses to 
preside over it. From the direction of 
the log cabin, Euterpe came, attended by 
figures in gleaming gray draperies which 
swirled as they danced. In turn entered 
Melpomene, Thalia and Terpsichore, 
wdth the dreams each muse inspires. 
Under their auspices the pageant de- 
veloped. To quote Mr. E. R. Brown's 
admirable brief summary of the pageant 
in the Boston Common, "These dreams 
were sent to the composer that he 
might see the legends of the past 
take life and glide before his eyes. 
He witnesses first an Indian bridal as 
it was before the white man came. 
Then the dreams change the scene to 
the North of Ireland, where he sees the 
poverty and oppression which force the 
people there to embark for the new world, 
and their sorrowful departure. In the 
twinkling of an ej^elash, the dreams 
bring him back again and show him the 
landing of these pilgrims at Portland, 
Maine, their exploration of the surround- 
ing country and their final settlement at 
Peterborough. And as in dreams we suffer 
and enjoy, with the keenness of actuality, 
so the composer feels the toil and hard- 
ship of the pilgrims, joins in their thanks- 
givings and laughs when they make 
merry. Time passes, and the dreams 
waft him on. In Colonial times he sees 
a wedding dance, smiles at the legend 
someone tells of old black Baker who 
met the devil in the woods, and then 
watches the farmers muster at the Revo- 
lutionary calls to arms. When the war 
is over he sees the youth of New England 
happily industrious in the cotton mills, 
working to lay aside money for an educa- 
tion, for a marriage portion, or for some 
other brighter end than mere daily bread. 
Yet he cannot linger. The dreams waft 
him on again, till he sees the farms 
abandoned in the gold fever of 1855, 
and later entirely deserted because of 
the Civil War, and finally the joyous 
welcome of Peterborough to her soldiers re- 
turning from the South. Then the dreams 
bring him to the present. They show 
him cosmopolitan New England as it is 
now, the refuge of many nations; his 
fancy pictures Peterborough welcoming 
the people of other lands. The muses 
return, beckoning to the dreams. The 
composer awakes, and the spirit of his 
genius speaks ; 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 



259 



'Laugh, my dreams, and sigh. 
Sing, and vigil keep. 
Call to them that sleep! 
Call! Call!' 

But all I have written concerns the 
dramatic and literary rather than the 
sociological side of the pageant, perhaps 
the most interesting. I have long be- 
lieved that pageantry ought to stimulate 
pride in local history, strengthen com- 
munity spirit, and reveal unexpected 
artistic resources, and Peterborough pro- 
vided an admirable chance to test the 
theories. Except in one respect, condi- 
tions in the town were not especially 
favorable. That exception is the exis- 
tence of the MacDowell Choral Club of 
some eighty voices. This club of towns- 
people and a few summer visitors, 
founded two years ago by Mrs. Mac- 
Dowell has been trained with much 
enthusiasm by H. Brooks Day, a summer 
resident who is choir master of St. Luke's 
Church, Brooklyn. On the other hand, 
the townspeople are very busy on their 
farms or in the shops they manage in 
the village. The summer colony is small, 
and from the outset I made it a rule to 
choose a Peterborough citizen for a part 
rather than a summer visitor, for what 
the town could do artistically for itself 
and by itself was the question, not what 
others could do for it. x'Vt first some 150 
persons pledged themselves to help, 
though rather blindly, as I found when I 
first met them as a group and explained 
the work. This number swelled to over 
200 before the performances. As a 
result of the fact that far the greater 
number of these 200 were busy in shops, 
mills, and on the farms, rehearsals were 
very diflScidt to arrange. Evenings from 
6.30 to 9.30, — early hours for ending 
because all had to go and come some 
distance and the days were laborious, — 
these were the only hours when I could 
count on a large attendance. Except 
for a very small number, rehearsals on 
Saturday were impossible, and till the 
last week of the three given to training 
the actors, I coidd not get more than three 
general rehearsals a week. I had to 
rehearse small groups or parts of them, 
as I could arrange from day to day. I 
did not see my whole cast together till 
four days before the first performance. 
Even from the start, however, there was 
a group within the larger group whose 



enthusiasm and devotion lightened the 
rehearsing and eventually infected the 
whole 200 with their mood. Some drove 
eight miles and back for rehearsals; 
others walked miles to each meeting; 
very many walked into the village from 
the outlying regions, to be conveyed 
thence to the stage by carriages specially 
provided. One member of the company 
more than once — doubtless there were 
others — came for an afternoon rehearsal, 
drove home four miles, milked and re- 
turned for an evening rehearsal. There 
was once or twice some irritation on 
the part of the shopkeepers or mill 
managers at the absorption of their men 
or clerks in the pageant, but an inter- 
view explaining its purpose always 
brought prompt support, and adjust- 
ments to permit the men or women to 
attend. By common agreement the 
townspeople closed the stores on the 
three days when the pageant was given. 
So steadily did the enthusiasm increase 
that, on the afternoon of the first per- 
formance, the group of 200 was working 
unitedly, whole-heartedly, for one end — 
as perfect a carrying out as was possible 
for them of the pageant as planned.^ Be- 
hind the scenes I have rarely, if ever, 
seen so much individual helpfulness, 
readiness to do anything if only Peter- 
borough could show its public that it 
could adequately accomplish the task 
set it. Community spirit was thoroughly 
aroused. To a remarkable extent cliques 
and even individual preferences dis- 
appeared in the common effort. 

Moreover, the participants enjoyed 
the work. Of course they found the re- 
hearsals hard after the day's labor; of 
course they sighed a little at moments 
over their absence from the fields and 
shops, but as the pageant shaped itself 
and they caught something of the spirit 
of artistic creation, curiosity and interest 
changed to pleasure and excited grati- 
fication. Fidly three-quarters of the 
group came after the last performance 
to express personally to me their pleasure 
in the work and what they felt the 
pageant meant to the town. In some 
cases all the members of a family, father, 
mother and children, took part, and in 
many cases a family had more than one 
representative in the cast. The interest 
was summed up in a dramatic picture as I 
left the grounds after the final perform- 



260 



NEW BOSTON 



ance; one of the little girls who had 
taken part was sobbing in the arms of 
another small girl-actor, and I heard: 
"Oh, dear; oh, dear; it's all over. If 
only it could all begin again!" 

The pageant certainly stimulated the 
interest of the community in its history, 
and its historical possessions. At first I 
found it difficult to get at any informa- 
tion outside the local histories, certainly 
in themselves not rich in dramatic bits. 
However, as I kept calling, in casting 
the parts, for descendants of histori- 
cal figures, slowly great-grandsons and 
great-granddaughters appeared. Soon 
there was eagerness to have a child or 
a member of a family figure in the scene 
which concerned an ancestor. From a 
distance people wrote to say that be- 
cause some forebear would figure in the 
pageant, they should attend a perform- 
ance. Finally, people began to talk to 
me of family history or legend, some of 
which, had it not been too late, ought 
to have gone into the pageant. For the 
first time it became of real significance 
to them outside the family group. I 
was told, too, at first, that probably 
there were not many historical posses- 
sions in the town except in a few families. 
Yet, as the weeks passed, word came 
in of this one and that one who had old 
furniture, old costumes, something of 
historical value, all of it in every case 
at the disposal of those in charge of the 
pageant. Unexpected stores of his- 
torical possessions were revealed. Per- 
haps the most amusing revelation was 
that a store in the town, passed on from 
father and mother to daughter, contained 
dress goods and trimmings of forty and 
fifty years since. Reluctantly the owner 
parted with these. They became the 
extremely effective and absolutely accur- 
ate costumes of the milling scene and 
the Civil War episode. Up to the last 
day, as interest heightened, dresses, hats, 
furnishings of all sorts came in from all 
sides. 

The pageant revealed, too, unexpected 
powers or degrees of power. All except 
a few women's costumes were made by 
a local dressmaker with great skill and 
taste, from plates provided her. And the 
difference between her work and the 
costumes one hires from the ])rofessio!uil 
costumer! It was stinuilating to watch 
people who had not been leaders take 



prominence as they demonstrated that 
they could do something as well as, or 
better than those already prominent. 
Like any old community, the town had 
its accustomed leaders and at the outset 
rather looked to them to lead in the 
pageant, but pageantry set its own 
values or readjusted. It created, I am 
sure, a new respect in a conservative 
New England community for the things 
of art, for at bottom all of us New Eng- 
landers think of the fine arts as matters 
for women and not wholly virile. No 
community which has had a properly 
managed pageant will ever think just 
that again. It was amusing to see the 
men joining the Choral Club as the 
interest in the pageant grew. It was 
delightful to watch men forget all shy- 
ness, all self-consciousness, in part after 
part. Above all, the keen, active par- 
ticipation of the older men and the dra- 
matic ability they developed were note- 
worthy. It was even a little touching 
to see the absorbed pleasure, the im- 
mediate response of certain fundament- 
ally artistic natures, men as well as 
women, to the chances for expression 
which the pageant offered. More per- 
fect bits of acting than were given by some 
of these people I do not ask to see, perfect 
because absolutely simple and sincere. 
They lived their parts, touching lightly 
where the trained actor of the regular 
stage would have underscored. This 
was particularly true in the episode. 
The Deserted Farm. To touch such 
instinctive artistry would be to break 
a butterfly. That the audiences recog- 
nized the instances of this simple, con- 
vincing acting, repeated comment showed. 

I should like to dwell on what this 
experience seems to me to prove as to 
the essentials of popular pageantry in 
this country and even of modern pa- 
geantry in general, but this is not the 
place for such a discussion. I must 
point out in passing, however, that, 
though pageantry comes to us as the 
gift of centuries ago, our pageantry of 
the countryside must take on its own 
character because it rests on two modern 
inventions. Without the telephone, and 
the telephone in the farmhouse, the 
hundreds of calls per day to the com- 
pany would have been impossible. 

Without the automobile, the cost of 
the performance could not be met, 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 



261 



for that brings in the pubhc from a 
wide radius, and a public that will pay well 
for seats. 

The Peterborough Pageant has con- 
vinced me that we have in our hands 
the best possible means of turning our 
festival days into times of stimulation 
of local pride and even national, strength- 
ening community spirit, "and developing 
the artistic instincts of a community. 
Best of all, I see no reason why finan- 
cially or in any other way any of our 
smaller, but intelligently enterprising 
towns should not have their pageants. 
I should like to believe the repeated 
assertion of participants and others in 
those days of the Peterborough Pageant, 
that the town must for a long time be 
more united, more alive, because of its 
accomplishment, because of its acquired 
sense of new and significant power. 

Not only has it won the right to asso- 
ciation with artistic endeavor elsewhere, 



it has also the glory of being the first 
place in the United States, and I think 
anywhere, to i)roduce a pageant pri- 
marily^ musical. Because of the nature 
of MacDowell's music, expressing as it 
does the very spirit of the region, Peter- 
borough is not likely to lose its prestige 
in nmsical pageantry. And, after all, 
granted all the work of writing the book, 
of composing the lyrics, of the orchestra- 
ting, of managing the complicated busi- 
ness involved, where would all this have 
ended, if this quiet New England com- 
munity had not risen to its opportunities 
and demonstrated that it could so pre- 
sent the result of all this initiation and 
labor as to win warm praise from crowded 
audiences? The artistic is not dead in 
the country people of New England; 
it is merely smothered. In many cases it 
is even crying for expression. Pageantry, 
if wisely managed, is the right outlet 
for all this pent-up craving. 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 

As a Spectator Saw It 

FRANK CHOUTEAU BROWN 



As, in the process of human events, 
history has again and again repeated 
itself in reproducing in this country, 
after an intervening space of time has 
elapsed, those European manifestations 
that have proved themselves to be of 
enduring merit, it is to be expected that 
the cities of America will soon become 
as addicted to the "pageant habit" as 
has come to be the case in England. 

The first big pageant in America on 
anything approaching the scale of those 
undertaken in England was given a little 
more than a year ago at Quebec, and to 
those few fortunate visitors who made 
that pilgrimage the very word recalls 
an exaltation of mood such as is in itself 
alone an inspiration. The great danger 
is that, in this country, the pageant may 
become commercialized, and so lose all 
those possibilities of devolopment for 
the community and for those indi- 
viduals more immediately concerned, that 



should be most carefully preserved as 
producing the greatest educational value 
and most lasting results of the entire 
project. In protest against the eventual 
misuse that is sure to be made of this 
title, it is more than a necessity to make 
an enduring record of the first American 
pageant undertaken with any sort of the 
devotion and breadth of view which is 
inseparable from the English historic 
festival that is known under this name. 
It is a laudable and desirable idea for 
each community, no matter how small, 
where sufficient local interest exists, to 
strengthen and develop that local pa- 
triotism by any means whatsoever that 
lie within its power. It is probable 
that most of this local enthusiasm will 
be misdirected, when it might as well 
be diverted into those channels that 
would produce lasting and inspiring 
benefits, and the "pageant" offers the 
most ideal opportunity for best obtain- 



262 



NEW BOSTON 




ing these results. No matter how un- 
pretentious the attempt may be, any 
such venture should be encouraged and, 
most of all, should it be encouraged 
along those lines that will produce the 
greatest opportunities for progress to 
those participating. It is for this pur- 
pose, too, that the experiences of the 
Peterborough pageant should be given 
the widest publicity, in order that in 
future all those having in mind an under- 
taking of this sort should be acquainted 
with some of the basic principles from 
which alone the best results are to be 
expected. 

^f IVterborough is only one among a 
Hundred small New Hampshire hill 
towns. Its local history differs hardly 
an atom from the local history of any 
other small village in the New England 
states. Its population is also small; the 
greater proportion of its inhabitants 
being employed in the local mills or 
factories, and in the summer the village 
and its immediate environs offers hos- 
pitality to a more limited number of 
"summer visitors" and residents than 



many other communities with similar 
conveniences of transportation to the 
larger centers of civilization. 

Peterborough was exceptional, how- 
ever, in having been the home for the last 
years of his life of a distinctive American 
composer, Edward MacDowell; and 
Peterborough was more than fortunate — 
when the idea of a musical pageant 
dedicated to the memory of this composer 
first crystallized — that those having it 
in charge were inspired to place the con- 
duct of the affair into the hands of the 
best individuals obtainable. It was the 
intelligent and illuminating direction 
given to local enthusiasm that made 
this undertaking of more than merely 
local distinction, and notable among a 
host of experiments elsewhere attempted. 

Since MacDowell's death, the property 
at Peterborough has been maintained 
by the MacDowell Memorial Associa- 
tion, in the attempt to provide a nucleus 
around which many of the younger men 
and women interested in the develop- 
ment or practice of the various arts 
might gather, during the summer months. 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 



263 



for profitable discussion and study com- 
bined with recreation. MacDowell him- 
self had always cherished this scheme as 
a possibility worthy of being attempted, 
and Mrs. MacDowell, aided by a group 
of local admirers and friends, has been 
singularly successful so far in the experi- 
mental launching of this idealistic scheme 
of her husband's. 

Once the conduct of the pageant was 
placed in capable hands, the MacDowell 
Memorial Association contented itself by 
contributing the loving labor of its in- 
dividual members toward making the 
fruition of their project as nearly and 
ideally perfect as was possible, in arous- 
ing interest among the inhabitants of 
the village, and in every way furthering 
and assisting the directors who had in 
charge the various elements, the complete 
welding of which into a perfect whole 
was to produce the pageant itself. 

Credit should first be given to these 
individual workers. George P. Baker, pro- 
fessor of dramatic literature at Harvard 
University, as master of the pageant, is 
responsible for the arrangement and 
staging of the entire presentation. He 
was assisted by Hermann Hagedorn, 
who wrote the lyrics; .^by Chalmers 
Clifton, who ^^arranged MacDowell's 
music for chorus and orchestra; by 
H. Brooks Day, who trained the Peter- 
borough MacDowell Club, and Miss 
Gwendolyn Valentine, who arranged the 
dances and did most of the solo work. 

Either intentionally or otherwise, no 
individual credit was rendered the com- 
pilers or authors of the book of the 
pageant, inspired by MacDowell's "House 
of Dreams," other than has above been 
given; but, in addition to this, the labor 
and intelligent assistance of hundreds of 
dwellers in the neighborhood, both na- 
tives and visitors, must be mentioned; 
as it was only by their united labor and 
effort that so notable an American 
pageant achieved performance. 

In the production itself there w^ere 
concerned some 200 or more individual 
performers. Professor Baker was as- 
sisted by numerous others in the ar- 
rangement of costumes, conduct of re- 
hearsals, selection of properties and in 
many other minor, but important and 
necessary ways. The spot selected for 
the pageant presentation was in many 
ways singularly fortunate. A sloping 



hillside had been built over with a tier 
of seats that slowly grew from day to 
day between the presentations until, at 
the final performance, it could accommo- 
date almost 1,500 people. At the foot 
of this tier of seats was an orchestra pit 
partially screened by temporary rows 
of foliage. The stage was represented 
by a large square of packed earth that 
on either side ran off into the tall forest 
pines, and was finished at the back by 
a screen of spruces set about eight or 
ten feet high. Beyond this screen and 
back of the stage a cleft had been cut 
through the foliage in order to provide a 
vista extending across several inter- 
vening valleys and range of hills to a 
view of Mt. Monadnock in the distance. 
Newly cut and built roads led to the 
enclosure, which was protected from the 
outer world by a screen of pines that had 
been carefully preserved between the 
seats and stage, and the adjacent field; 
which had been turned into a tremendous 
parking space that was hardly sufficient 
to contain the horses, carriages and au- 
tomobiles of visitors from nearby and 
adjacent towns. 

This natural amphitheatre had been 
adapted at considerable labor and ex- 
pense to the immediate purposes of this 
pageant. As it is the hope of the Mac- 
Dowell Association to make these pa- 
geants regular features of each summer's 
season, it will undoubtedly be arranged 
so that in later years the scene will be- 
come even more effective, inasmuch as 
the raw newness of the tiers of seats, 
and the ochre color of the packed earth 
stage, somewhat jarred with the beauti- 
ful tones of nature that surrounded and 
set them off. A few years weathering 
of the timber, a few years' exposure of 
the earth, will doubtless so tone both 
into harmony with their environment 
that the whole picture will then exist 
without those single jarring notes that 
were this year to be deprecated. 

For the audience, one of the great 
lessons of this pageant lay in the impres- 
sive use made of the lyrics and the 
music. At no one point had greater 
perfection been attained than in the 
scoring, instrumentation and perform- 
ance of the musical portion of the enter- 
tainment. Pictures themselves of in- 
dividual beauty were made doubly ef- 
fective by the mere added suggestion 



264 



NEW BOSTON 



and inspiration of a dignified musical 
accompaniment. To fully enter into 
the spirit of the occasion, it was not 
necessary to attempt to follow the book. 
The spectator might much better give 
himself up to the undivided enjoyment 
of the episodes and their setting, and 
preserve his pageant book to later re- 
call to his memory the pictures there 
contained, at which time he would also 
have the added pleasure of a new appre- 
ciation of the adaptability with which 
the poet had fitted Mr. MacDowell's 
melodies with appropriate words. 

A number of the sixteen episodes 
comprised within the pageant were given 
without the aid of spoken words, and 
these were certainly not among the 
least eft'ective. Certain others had mo- 
ments of added interest from the use 
of realistic snatches of dialogue — but, 
most of all, within the mere sweep and 
movement of the spectacle resided its 
originality and individual charm for the 
observer. The classicism of the invo- 
cation, with Clio, Euterpe, Melpomene, 
Thalia, and Terpsichore summoning the 
gray-clad dreams from the forest and the 
romantic suggestion of the episode of 
aboriginal life with its Indian wedding, 
were sharply contrasted by one of the 
most poignant of the events pictured 
showing the conditions that, in North 
Ireland, compelled the emigration of 
the first Peterborough settlers. In natural 
sequence came short episodes portray- 
ing their departure and landing upon 
the shores of the new world, when again 
the audience were led back to a native 
picture of extreme and romantic sim- 
plicity in the att'ecting burial of the 
Indian chieftain that ended the first 
section of the pageant. 

The second portion was more strictly 
related to their local history, opening 
with a Colonial wedding and spinning 
scene, on which there followed closely 
the "Call to Arms," of April 18 and 19, 
1775, and the abandonment of the farms, 
which began at about the time of the 
discovery of gold and continued until 
after the close of the Civil War. By 
contrast, two of the most interesting 
divertisements of the performance here 
took place in the dance between old 
Black Baker and the devil, and the 
autumn dance of ]\Iiss Valentine that 
ended this middle section. One of the 



few musical episodes using compositions 
other than MacDowell's also occurred in 
this second part, where a picture of the 
working of the early hand-looms was 
given to the accompaniment of Raff's 
La Fileuse. 

The third section developed the return 
from the Civil War and those scenes 
distinctive to pageantry in which the 
community symbolically welcomed the 
people of other nations, the classic 
muses, and representatives of the Peter- 
boroughs of other countries and climes; 
and finally, the march past, ending with 
the gathering of all the historic groups 
upon the stage and their joining in the 
final hymn of the pageant. 

It was an inspiration to the audience to 
find out how interesting were the inci- 
dents of their own town and locality. 
The mere reviewing of this series of events 
alone would make for a better patriot- 
ism and the inculcation of local spirit. 
Unexpected beauties are discovered in 
the quaint design and coloring of little 
regarded early costumes. Attics and 
trunks are rummaged; old gowns, furni- 
ture and utensils brought forth. Even 
the very children make an acquaintance 
with old costumes and events that 
may have previously meant to them 
merely the cut-and-dried lessons of their 
school education, and they are equally 
surprised and delighted by the glamor 
of interest and romance discovered by 
this pictorial presentation of local legend 
and history. 

More than all this, such a venture 
means to all those concerned in its prep- 
aration, both actors, teachers and those 
assisting in the making of costumes or 
the collection of properties, a stimula- 
tion of local pride in the past achieve- 
ments of their predecessors and forebears 
that must inevitably strengthen and 
develop a desirable community spirit, 
while it is also accompanied by a revelation 
of the artistic talents latent in the neigh- 
borhood that cannot help but make the 
entire undertaking one of the most vitally 
educational elements that can possibly be 
added to the life experience of any lo- 
cality. Many of those having in hand 
this undertaking went into the venture 
with the hope that they would practi- 
cally develop these results from the ex- 
periment, and the outcome has more 
than satisfied their highest expectations. 



THE PETERBOROUGH PAGEANT 



265 



Not only are the originators of the 
scheme of the pageant thoroughly con- 
vinced that it has demonstrated the 
truth of these assumptions, but every 
individual in the community itself is 
alike satisfied in regard to the result — 
although they may not have as clearly 
analyzed the causes that have produced 
these effects as those more abstractly 
interested in the venture from its very 
start. The mill owners — contrary to the 
general impression — appeared only too 
glad to aid the experiment in every way 
they could. Not only were the em- 
ployes allowed necessary time for re- 
hearsal from working hours, but the 
entire manufacturing portion of the vil- 
lage was closed down on those days when 
the pageant was given. So much in- 
terest was aroused that special trains 
were run to bring in outsiders from as 
far north as Contoocook and Concord 
and south and east as Boston; and all 
the houses in the vicinity were thrown 
open to entertain and take care of those 
visitors who preferred to stay over for 
one or two days and so get the more 
thorough enjoyment out of this excep- 
tional and unusual opportunity. 

For those interested in the future of 
American pageants, still other results 
were experimentally assured by this 
presentation. First and most important 
among these was the unexpected im- 
portance and dignity given to the whole 
affair from the musical standards that 
were maintained in that section of the 
entertainment; secondly, it was more 
than proven that the progress, move- 
ment and color of the individual episodes 
made more for vraisemblance than any 
use of spoken dialogue; that the very 
scale upon which such an entertainment 
was possible at once dwarfed into utter 
insignificance artificial scenery or other 
similar aids of any kind; and an appeal 
to the imagination of the audience was 
tremendously more effective than any 
mere painstaking realism in the pictorial 
presentation of the individual scenes. 
All this was more or less expected by 
those most intelligently concerned in 
the experiment, but there followed some 
further surprises that were not dis- 
counted by previous anticipation. From 
the point of view of the spectator, for 
instance, the grandeur of the natural 
background, beautiful as it was, came 



singularly little into the effect of the 
individual episodes. When the spec- 
tator's interest was concentrated on the 
moving evolutions of the pictures grouped 
below he lost sight altogether of the 
distant beauties of the natural setting. 
In only one or two of the events, such as 
the gathering of the dreams from the 
forests, and the autumn dance by Miss 
Valentine, was there intimately drawn 
into the picture any strong suggestion 
of those elements of natural background, 
distance and surroundings that enclosed 
the scene throughout. Restful as was 
the relief offered in the intervals that 
intervened between the scenes, by the 
distant glimpses of Monadanock, with 
its shifting weather conditions of a single 
afternoon, when sunshine was gradually 
superseded by drifting clouds, and clouds 
by the shadow of a coming storm and 
autumn evening, the spectator largely 
forgot his surroundings the more abso- 
lutely as the episodes themselves the 
more interestingly dealt with historic 
incidents and local personages and events. 
It also became doubtful whether, after 
all, the most effective results to be ob- 
tained from the pageant in America 
are possible only when undertaken in 
a comparatively small community. It 
has been a matter of open question 
whether the large American cities can 
undertake a pageant with the same pos- 
sibility of success as has been proved 
to exist in European communities. The 
very democracy of America — surprising 
as it may seem — those republican prin- 
ciples upon which the United States of 
America is founded, must in some part 
militate against this possibility of success. 
In the large community, the greatest 
co-operation will probably be derived 
more from the careful selection of the 
various elements composing the civic 
life and their segregation into dift'erent 
groups of individuals of common interests 
of patriotism, of art, or of inspiration. 
In such groups can be more thoroughly 
inculcated the individual enthusiasm and 
patriotic connnunity interest in the 
delineation of the historic life of the 
neighborhood that is singularly and 
almost completely lacking from most 
congregations of city-dwelling, work- 
harried Americans. 

On the other hand, there exist few 
individuals in America totally lacking 



266 



NEW BOSTON 



in those receptive channels that enable 
them to respond to suggestions of the 
most imaginative character much more 
readily and quickly than is to be expected 
of an old England audience. No country 
in the world, outside possibly of France, 
could provide audiences so ready to 
respond and give the needed psycho- 
logical support to imaginative scenes as 
large in scope, as elemental in their 
human appeal, and as vital in the life of 
the community as the proper develop- 
ment of the pageant makes possible. 
The dramatist, instead of working with 
a small j^alette of canvas, paint, and 
human nature, embellished with ele- 
ments of artificial lighting, grasps bravely 
at pictures requiring the handling of 
great crowds, of individual moving pig- 
ments capable of developing pictured 



mosaics of a million varying interrela- 
tions and symbolic representations. He 
paints boldly with a large brush, under 
the searching lighting of nature, against 
her most intimate backgrounds or her 
grandest distances, until he reproduces 
something of the elemental mystery and 
force of the surging rush and sweep of 
the ocean beating upon a rock-torn coast. 
Human nature becomes elemental and 
universal and, aided by the poignant 
appeal of musical symbolism and color, 
the pageant is admirably suited to fit, 
the closest of any yet developed process 
of educational entertainment, a vacant 
niche not yet occupied by any form of 
inspirational or educational amusement 
and recreation for the benefit of the 
people, taken in their broadest possible 
aspect. 



A CHILDREN'S EXHIBIT 



LILIAN V. ROBINSON 



In January of this year an appropria- 
tion of $1,000 was given by the state 
of Massachusetts for a children's exhibit 
on tuberculosis, the State Commission 
for Consumptives' Hospitals to be res- 
sponsible for its planning and preparation. 

Dr. John B. Hawes, 2d, secretary of 
the commission, felt that the children 
of the state could best be reached through 
the public schools. But since to reach 
all the schools was not possible with 
the appropriation given, it seemed best 
to plan to have about twenty exhibits — 
duplicates of the original — leaving it to 
the anti-tuberculosis organizations of the 
state to buy some of these outright. 
This has already been done, leaving 
money free for the replacing of these 
exhibits with others, and sending them 
to cities and towns throughout the state, 
to be shipped again to other cities after 
six months or so have elapsed. 

Since $1,000 did not justify expendi- 
ture for the making of models and their 
transportation, photographs and mottoes 
are used to tell the story and teach the 
lesson it is desired to impress on the 
children. Since "prevention is better 



than cure," and to cultivate virtues 
rather than to root out vices is a good 
rule for children as well as grownups, 
the positive rather than the negative is 
dwelt on in the exhibit, and statistics, 
which appeal so little to children, are 
left out altogether. 

Contrasting pictures and mottoes bring 
out the points which seemed most vital 
to those who prepared the exhibit. A 
folding case of wood, not unlike a great 
book with covers four feet by five feet, 
holds the pictures and mottoes which 
are eight by ten inches in size. The 
wood is of the lightest quality compatible 
with strength, so that the case and its 
contents can be lifted onto a desk or 
table where it may be seen by the children. 
When it has served its purpose in one 
school room it can readily be carried on 
to another. These details are most im- 
portant, for an unwieldy exhibit, however 
admirable it may be, is generally stalled 
at the end of a short time. 

Accompanying each exhibit is a small 
pamphlet prepared by Dr. Hawes for 
the teachers, suggesting striking features 
to be pointed out to the children, the 



A CHILDREN'S EXHIBIT 



267 




CLEAN AND DIRTY BAKERIES 




268 



NEW BOSTON 



best way of denionstrating the subject, 
and getting the children to apply it to 
their own homes and lives. Since it is 
the plan of the exhiliit to say as little 
about tuberculpsis as possible, but rather 
to dwell on the things that make for 
health, to impress on the children that 
tuberculosis cannot attack well people, 
and therefore it is our business to keep 
well, the every day sources of disease 
and health are pictured as graphically as 
possible under half a dozen different 
heads. 

1. The Home: Showing pictures of 
dirty, dark, unventilated tenement rooms, 
and over against them pictures of clean, 
sunny, well-ventilated rooms and little 
out of town houses. An accompanying 
motto reads "Health is the poor man's 
stock in trade. A tenement with sun- 
shine and good air at four dollars a week 
is cheaper than one without at three 
dollars a week." 

2. Occupation: Showing badly lighted, 
badly ventilated factory and workshop 
and contrasting model shops and fac- 
tories, clean, light and well aired. The 
motto here is "When you can, choose 
work where conditions make for health. 
Even though your pay is higher, dusty 



and ill ventilated workrooms will cost 
you dear." 

3. Milk] and Food: [Showing the 
sources of supply, unclean shops and 
receptacles and contamination by hand- 
ling, contrasting with model conditions. 
The motto here is "Eat simple, nourish- 
ing food. Learn all you can of marketing 
and cooking. The health and comfort 
of your family may depend on your 
knowledge of these things." 

4. Outdoor Schools : Showing children 
in the incipient stage of tuberculosis in 
the Refectory School, under the Con- 
sumptives' Hospital Department of the 
City of Boston and a series of pic- 
tures of the Franklin Park School for 
delicate children under the Women's 
Municipal League. Here the children 
are shown on the beautiful shaded 
lawns surrounding the Overlook build- 
ing, weaving baskets, sewing, danc- 
ing, listening to stories, or eating the 
nourishing and carefully prepared meals 
which had so large a part in restoring 
the anaemic little ones to health. The 
accompanying motto reads, "The best 
way to treat tuberculosis is to avoid 
getting it. The children shown in the 
pictures have not got tuberculosis. They 




A TENEMENT HOME 



TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE CITIZENSHIP 



269 



are learning how to live so to avoid 
getting it." 

5. Home Treatment of tuberculosis 
is shown, sanatoriums and health colonies. 
Photographs of playgrounds, baths, and 
gymnasiums appear in profusion so that 
the prevention, not the cure, the things 
that make for health, not the remedying 
of ill, be impressed on the minds of the 
children. 

Other mottoes are "Keep well and so 
resist tuberculosis. The following make 
for good health: 1. Model tenements 
with fresh air and sunshine in the rooms. 
2. Clean food and milk supply; clean 
and well-ventilated factories and shops. 



3. Well-ventilated schools with plenty 
of fresh air and sunshine for every child 
and open air rooms for the weak and run 
down children. 4. Personal hygiene by 
means of daily baths, proper care of 
teeth, proper clothing, etc." 

"Keep the body clean and a cheerful 
mind. Worrying doesn't mend matters." 
"Take time for regular rest, exercise and 
recreation. You will do better work." 

It is hoped that the price of duplicates 
of the original exhibit will not be over 
$35. Any information regarding them 
will be furnished by Dr. John B. Hawes, 
2d, on application at 3 Joy street, where 
samples of the exhibit can be seen. 



TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE 
CITIZENSHIP 



DANIEL BLOOMFIELD 

Director, School for Citizenship 



Fully two hundred wage-earners as- 
sembled on the roof garden of the Civic 
Service House in the North End to take 
part in the closing exercises of the 
School for Citizenship, when it completed 
its most successful summer session. The 
public schools may well take the sug- 
gestion to open their roofs during the 
summer for the instruction of the immi- 
grant. 

The School for Citizenship takes the 
immigrant and by means of systematic 
lessons lays the foundations for intel- 
ligent citizenship. Each of the summer 
and winter classes works on constructive 
lines. The rudiments of the English 
language are gone over thoroughly and, 
as the pupil advances, the study of 
American history is taken up; and finally 
the machinery of government is studied 
in the light of present conditions. 

Each class is organized into a club 
which enables the school's students to 
meet in an informal way. This is not 
only desirable per se, but offers fine 
training in the principles of self-govern- 
ment. The value of thus combining club 
features with class work has proven 
inestimable. 



In the summer the various classes 
have outings to Middlesex Fells, the 
Blue Hills or similar recreation spots. 
Here again the students are brought 
together in a way which was entirely 
new to them in their native countries. 
These outings are object lessons in 
comradeship. The principles of democ- 
racy find expression in everything 
the school does. Russians meet Italians 
on even ground and together set their 
shoulders to the wheel. Age or na- 
tionality makes no difl^erence here. We 
have pupils whose ages range from 
seventeen to forty-six. Our registra- 
tion for the summer was 124, with a 
waiting list of about ninety. All have 
the same impulse, the same desire — 
to become good citizens. 

As evidence of their good faith, we 
require each male applicant to show 
us his first papers of naturalization; if 
he has none, Ave fill his application out 
for him. Special attention is given to 
those who have made application for 
their second papers. xA.no ther feature 
of the school is the special class which 
prepares its members for the Evening 
High School or college. One of our 



270 



NEW BOSTON 



former students is now at Harvard; 
four are at the Massachusetts Institute 
of Technology; one is at Amherst; three 
are at the Y. M. C. A. Law School and 
one is at the Harvard Medical School. 

Combined with the work of the classes 
are the personal interviews with the 
students to determine their vocational 
ambitions. The Vocation Bureau, an 
outgrowth of the Civic Service House, is 
always ready to lend a hand in the con- 
sideration of a student's life-work. Lec- 
turers are invited to speak on subjects 
of immediate practical value. 

During the last season, among others, 
Prof. Lewis J. Johnson of Harvard Uni- 
versity spoke on Direct Legislation: 
Alderman Cotton, on the New Govern- 
ment of Boston; Frederick J. Allen, 
director of the City History Club, on 
The Story of Boston. 

Many of our teachers were pupils here 
themselves. Great care is exercised in 
the selection' of teachers. The type of 
instructor needed in a social settlement 
of this kind must be one of sound schol- 
arship, pleasing personality and un- 
flagging energy. Our students work 
hard all day in shops, factories, or on the 
street and come tired out to the class. 



Many who live outside the city come 
direct from work without waiting to get 
their suppers. 

In order that they may learn, the 
teacher must stimulate their fatigued 
minds; he must make the lesson attrac- 
tive and full of vital force; at no time 
must' he ever allow instruction to be- 
come routine. We have realized the 
importance of these principles and have 
followed them out in organizing our 
teaching staff. The teachers are not 
merely teachers; they are sympathetic 
workers and take a personal interest in 
their charges. It is not a rare thing for 
a pupil to lay the whole history of his 
life before the teacher and ask his ad- 
vice regarding the future; nor is it rare 
for a teacher to spend time and energy 
in helping a student get a job or the 
proper aid in case of legal or medical 
trouble. 

The School for Citizenship builds not 
only citizens but men and women. Its 
function is to stretch out a hand to the 
immigrant and leadj him along the 
path of civic righteousness and respon- 
sibility, and to teach him the real signifi- 
cance of "life, liberty and the pursuit of 
happiness." 




A l{()OF GARDEN CLASS 
School for Citizenship, Civic'^ServicejHouse 



NOV S> 1910 



NEW BOSTON 

p\GEANT Program JMumber^ 




A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY BOSTON • 1915 • INC • 6 BEACON ST • 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS • US- A- 

'OLi NOVEMBER. 1910 no.? 

EN CENTS A COPY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR 




THE CALL OF WINTER 

LIGHT ^^^^* ^^^ Heat— SOFT, NATURAL, STRONG, 

AKiQ LIGHT, and QUICK, POWERFUL HEAT— these 

i| p. « -|. are the requirements of the crisp, short days of Fall 

'■ ^^ * and Winter. 



THE 

MANTLE 
LAMP 



The MANTLE GAS LAMP, with its POWER- 
FUL, YET SOFT AND WHITE LIGHT meets the 
first need most satisfactorily. Varying in size from the 
25 c. p. lamp costing l-12c per hour, to the gas arc 
lamp of 500 c. p. costing 1 3- 10c per hour, the gas lamp 
fills every demand of artistic home or exacting office 
and factory. 



THE GAS 
STEAM 
RADIATOR 



The GAS STEAM RADIATOR, giving a 
STRONG STEADY FLOW OF HEAT, is AUTO- 
MATICALLY REGULATED by its own steam pres- 
sure to the lowest possible gas consumption. ECO- 
NOMICAL AND EFFICIENT, it is particularly well 
fitted for long-hour service in business and house alike. 



THE GAS 

LOG 



The GAS LOG, with its cheery blaze, gives an 
INSTANT, POWERFUL HEAT, quickly dispelling 
the chill of early morning. Just the thing for bear com, 
dining room, library and office. 



Gas heaters are supplied in a great variety 
forms, for every use. 

Send for a representative. , 



BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 



Telephone Commercial Department, Oxford 1690 



24 West Street 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



NOVEMBER, 1910 



No. 7 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 

THE PAGEANT 

THE PROMOTION OF INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION 

SUBWAY PROBLEM 

BOSTON ELEVATED IMPROVEMENTS 

THE MONTH IN BOSTON-1915 

PROGRAM OF THE PAGEANT 

PROLOGUE 

"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" ' 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

LIST OF PAGEANT PATRONESSES 

PAGEANTRY George P. Baker 

WHAT IS A PAGEANT? Louis N. Parker 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BOSTON-191S 

HOW BOSTON-191S WORKS C. Bertrand Thompson. . . 

RAPID TRANSIT AND CIVIC BEAUTY Frederick W. Coburn 

BOSTON'S AMUSEMENT RESOURCES Esther G. Barrows 

SOUTH END AMUSEMENTS Jane R. McCrady 

WEST END AMUSEMENTS Mrs. Eva Whiting White. 

BOYLSTON STREET SUBWAY PLAN Daniel A. Griffin 

NEEDS OF THE SOUTH DEPARTMENT Dr. Richard C. Cabot 



27! 
271 
273 
274 
275 
275 
276 
2/7 
279 
280 
292 
293 
295 
296 
293 
301 
307 
315 
318 
320 
324 
327 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class matter at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

{Copyright, 1910, by Boston— 1915, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 





F7S 



HOTEL PURITAN 

390 Commonwealth Avenue 

100 Yards West of Massachusetts Avenue Car Lines 

A DISTINCTIVE BOSTON HOUSE 

opened last November with every modern resource for 
Transient and Permanent Guests 

D. P. COSTELLO, Manager 

Write for " The Story of New England and the Puritans " 



545 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

BIJOU THEATRE 



Open daily from 9.30 A. M. to 

10.30 P. M. 
Sunday 6.30 to 10.30 P. M. 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the public for a small admission. 

That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 

All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a " Moving Picture Show." 

PROGRAMME 



Motion Pictures at their Best 

The subjects carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
European producers. 

Camera Chats 

By a trained reader, on interesting phases 
of life at home and abroad. 

Stereoptlcon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



One-Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

Music 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



JOSEPHINE CLEMENT. Manager 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



NOVEMBER, 1910 



No. 7 



NOTE AND COMMENT 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 



Since mid-summer Massachusetts and 
Boston, in common with all parts of 
our country, have been passing through 
the biennial experiences of a campaign 
of partisan struggles to elect state 
officials and congressional representatives. 
Such a campaign presents issues which 
are essentially divisive, both as concern- 
ing principles and persons. The ultimate 
value of such a campaign rests upon the 
thoughtfulness and sincerity with which 
men differ, until at the ballot box there 
comes the final arbitrament of conflict- 
ing views. 

Since mid-summer Boston-1915 has 
been at work planning for a campaign 
of a radically different character, which 
is to follow closely the completion of 
the political contests in which our readers 
will be interested when these pages 
come from the press. Its issues will 
prove divisive only when citizens classify 
themselves as public-spirited or its op- 
posite, concerned for the common good 
or absorbed utterly in narrow-visioned 
selfishness. The themes which it will 
press upon the attention of the metro- 
politan district are well fitted to unite 
all citizens who wish to secure the best 
living conditions for their local com- 
munities, and thus promote the general 
welfare of the whole district. This 
campaign will - also seek to secure the 
attention of the largest number of 
listeners to those best qualified to present 
the needs of the congested portions of 
Boston, and to win enthusiastic recruits 
for the tasks there foimd. 

All progress in civic conditions re- 
quires intelligent and effective co-opera- 
tion between the duly chosen municipal 
administrators and voluntary associa- 
tions of citizens. In recognition of this 
fact this approaching campaign will 



begin with a conference of mayors and 
city oflBcials, to which all such officers 
from all cities in New England have 
been invited. 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10. 
11.00 A.M. (Boston City Club.) 

Meeting for addresses of welcome, mutual 
acquaintance and organization. 
Buffet lunch tendered to the Conference by 
Boston-1915. 
2.00 P.M. {Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall.) 
Discussions. 

1 — The City's Inspection of its Milk Supply — 
Dr. Thomas E. Maloney, Fall River and 
Prof. W. T. Sedgwick, Institute of Tech- 
nology, Boston. 
2 — Old Age Pensions — Prof. F. Spencer Bald- 
win, H. LaRue Brown, Esq. 
8.00 P.M. All members of the Conference in- 
vited to be guests of Boston-1915 at the Dra- 
matic Pageant, Boston Arena, "Cave Life 
to City Life," a "Mayor's Night." 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11. 
10.00 A.M. Ford Building. 

1 — Transmissible Diseases: Common Colds and 
Preventable Illness — Dr. Richard C. Cabot. 
Tuberculosis — Mr. Edward F. McSweeney. 
The Worcester Manufacturers' Movement — 

Dr. M. G. Overlock. 
Sex Diseases — Dr. Charles W. Eliot. 
2 — The Influence of City Planning upon the City 
Budget. Stereopticon lecture — Mr. George 
B. Ford. 
2.00 P.M. Tour of City Departments. 
5.30 P.M. Dinner tendered to the members of 

the Conference by Mayor Fitzgerald. 
8.00 P.M. Public Session, Ford Hall. 

Addresses — "The Public Service Corporation 
and the City" — Hon. James Logan, Mayor 
of Worcester. 
"Giving the Tax Payer his Money's Worth " — 
Hon. George McAneny, President of Borough 
of Manhattan, 



272 



NEW BOSTON 



Following the Mayors' Conference a 
series of "Civic Rallies" will be held 
throughout the Metropolitan District. 
The following experts will be present 
from other cities: Clinton Rogers Wood- 
ruff, secretary of the National Municipal 
League; Henry B. F. Macfarland, ex- 
comniissioner of the District of Columbia; 
Owen R. Lovejoy, secretary of the Na- 
tional Child Labor Committee; Lawrence 
Vciller, secretary of the National Housing 
Association; Paul U. Kellogg, managing 
editor of The Survey; George E. Johnson, 
superintendent of the Playground Asso- 
ciation, Pittsburg; Mrs. Florence Kelley, 
New York; Prof. Henry C. Suzzallo of 
Columbia University, and Hon. H. A. 
Metz, ex-comptroller of New York. 

A number of additional local speakers 
have been secured? for meetings bothMn 
Boston and the suburban towns :| 

At a mass meeting in Tremont Temple 
November 20, at 3.30 p. m., under the 
auspices of the young people's religious or- 



ganizations of Greater Boston, the speak- 
ers will be Rev. Dr. O. P. Gifford, Rev. 
Dr. Samuel McC. Crothers, Guy A. Ham, 
Esq., and Dr. C. A. Vincent. The general 
subject will be "Opportunities for Young 
People's Work in Civic Righteousness." 

The oath of loyalty, taken by the 
young citizens of Athens, will be explained 
and administered by Judge Robert F. 
Raymond. 

A meeting under the auspices of the 
Central Labor Union has been arranged 
for the evening of the same day at Faneuil 
Hall, at which Paul U. Kellogg and Mrs. 
Florence Kelley of the National Con- 
sumers' League will address organized 
labor. The final meeting will be held in 
Tremont Temple November 21, and the 
speakers will be Pres. Charles F. Thwing of 
Western Reserve University, Dr. Stephen 
S. Wise of New York and others. 

Following is a list of local meetings so 
far as arranged at the time of going to 
press : 



Locality 


Hall 


Date 




Speaker 


Topic 


Cambridge 


Sanders Theatre 


Nov. 


14 


James H. Ropes 

Henry Suzzallo 

C. Bertrand Thompson 


Civic Progress by 
Co-operative Effort 


Cambridge 


Cypress Hall 


Nov. 


15 


Robert Luce 

and another speaker 


The Debt of the 
Citizen 


Charlestown 




Nov. 


17 


Albert J. Kennedy 


Improvement Asso- 
ciations and Con- 
gestion 


Chelsea 


Williams School Hall 


Nov. 


16 


March G. Bennett 
and another speaker 


Closer Relations Be- 
tween Municipalities 
in the Metropolitan 
District 


Dorchester 


High School 


Nov. 


17 


Henry B. F. Macfarland 
and another speaker 




Dorchester 


Navillus Hall 


Nov. 


16 


George E. Johnson 
and another speaker 


Playgrounds 


East Weymouth 


Clapp Memorial Inst. 


Nov. 


17 


George E. Johnson 


Playgrounds 


Everett 


Town Hall 


Nov. 


15 


William C. Free 

Dr. Melville F. Rogers 


Organization and 
Work of an Improve- 
ment Association 


Forest Hills 


Francis Parkman School 


Nov. 


15 


George E. Johnson 
Frank S. Mason 


Playgrounds 
Boston-1915 


Hyde Park 




Nov. 


14 


Flavel Shurtleff 
John L. Sewall 


Town Planning 
Boston-1915 


Jamaica Plain 


Bowditch School Hall 


Nov. 


18 


Henry Abrahams 
Edwin Mulready 


The Labor Union as 
a Social Force 
The Law Breaker. 
His Attitude and 
Ours 


Lexington 


Town Hall 


Nov. 


22 


James P. Munroe and 
another speaker 


Town Planning 


Maiden 


High School 


Nov. 


16 


Dr. Richard C. Cabot 


Prevention of Dis- 
ease 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



273 



Locality 


Hall 


Date 




• Speaker 


Topic 


Maiden 


High School 


Nov. 


16 


Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews 


Larger Use of School 
houses as Neighbor- 
hood Centers 


Medford 


High School 


Nov. 


17 


Louis P. Nash 

Miss M. Josephine Blcakie 


Vocational Guidance 
Boston-1915 


Quincy 


Alpha Hall 


Nov. 


17 


Henry Abrahams 
J. L. Sewall 

Rev. T. I. Gasson, S. J. 
(probable) 




Revere 


Town Hall 


Nov. 


14 


Dr. Melville F. Rogers 
James P. Munroe 


Value of a Local Im- 
provement Associa- 
tion 


Somerville 




Nov. 


14 






South Boston 


Andrews School Hall 


Nov. 


16 


Charles Logue 


Housing 


Waltham 




Nov. 


15 


Henry B. F. Macfarland 


The City Beautiful 


Watertown 


Walker Pratt Co. Shops 
(noon meeting) 


Nov. 


17 


H. W. Kimball 


Industrial Insurance 


Watertown 


Town Hall 


Nov. 


19 


Lawrence Veiller 


Housing 


Wellesley 


Maugus Club 


Nov. 


16 


James P. Munroe 


Boston-1915 


West and North 


Ford Hall 


Nov. 


18 


Henry B. F. Macfarland 


Housing 


Ends 








Clinton Rogers Woodruff 




West Medford 




Nov. 


18 


Dr. Richard C. Cabot 
J. Mott Hallowell 


General Health Con- 
ditions 
Boston-1915 


West Roxbury 


Highland Hall 


Nov. 


15 


Albert P. Walker 


Education from the 
Point of View of the 
Business Man and 
the Teacher 


Winthrop 


High School 


Nov. 


16 


Frank P. Speare 
Albert P. Walker 


Vocational Educa- 
tion for Boys 
Education from the 
Point of View of the 
Business Man and 
the Teacher 



Woburn 



Music Hall 



Nov. 15 Mary C. Wiggia 



The Pageant 

Two weeks before its production in 
the Arena we can say that tlie Boston- 
1915 pageant, "Cave Life to City Life," 
was a success in its most important 
feature. That feature is the prehminary 
rehearsing which, to quote Louis W. 
Parker, the master of EngHsh pageantry, 
is of far greater importance than the 
actual pageant itself. 

Since early summer, under the most 
efficient direction of Miss Lotta A. Clark, 
the pageant has been taking shape and 
for a month past a thousand citizens 
of Greater Boston have been brought 
together in regular rehearsals. Com- 
munity life has been stirred, municipal 
pride has been awakened and a splendid 
spirit of civic co-operation has resulted 



w^hich means in truth a Greater Boston. 
Genuine interest in the pageant has 
developed since the rehearsals began. 
Miss Clark has been besieged with willing 
offers of volunteer help — not only from 
those whose time is largely their own, 
but invaluable assistance has also been 
secured from professional men and 
women who have sacrificed their own 
interests for the success of the pageant. 
Hundreds of school children from all 
parts of the Metropolitan District have 
given up their Saturday mornings to 
rehearsals — not mechanical repetitions 
of scenes and episodes, but as Mr. Parker, 
the master of the pageant, said, "These 
boys and girls have entered into the spirit 
of the pageant in a most remarkable 
manner." The pupils of the Girls 



274 



NEW BOSTON 



English High School who will participate 
in the spinning and quilting episodes 
have done the actual work over their 
quilting frames and spinning wheels as 
did their ancestors. Attics have been 
rummaged for old costumes, many of 
the performers, young and old, have 
designed and made their own costumes, 
and in short the whole community has 
willingly joined in this "whole com- 
munity" enterprise. 

So although it may he a little early 
to say that the pageant was a success — 
two weeks before it is produced — in 
its preliminary and most important 
aspects it has more than met the expec- 
tations of those who have borne the 
brunt of the work. 

This is every reason to believe that 
the Arena will be crowded on the three 
pageant evenings, November 10, 11 
and 12, for the general interest aroused 
is by no means confined to the per- 
formers themselves. 

The Promotion of Industrial Education 

The fourth annual convention of the 
National Society for the Promotion of 
Industrial Education will be held in 
Boston, November 17, 18 and 19. The 
day sessions on Thursday will meet at 
Perkins Hall, 264 Boylston street. On 
Friday and Saturday the day confer- 
ences will be held in the Boston Public 
Library and on Friday evening the meet- 
ing will convene at the Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology. 

The opening session on Thursday, 
November 17, will be given up to the 
subject. Demands and Opportunities 
for Girls in Trades and Stores. Dr. 
David Snedden, Commissioner of Edu- 
cation, will be chairman of this section, 
and among the speakers will be Dr. 
Susan M. Kingsbury, director of Re- 
search Department, Women's Educa- 
tional and Industrial Union, on the 
Needle Trades, and D. S. Edwards, 
secretary of the Committee on Indus- 
trial Development of the Boston Chamber 
of Conunerce, on The Department 
Stores. What the Schools Can Do 
to Train for these Trades, will be dis- 
cussed by Mrs. Lucinda W. Prince, 
Director of the Union School of Sales- 
manship, Edith M. Howes, President 
Girls' Trade Education League, and 



Helen R. Hildreth, Acting Superin- 
tendent, Manhattan Trade School for 
Girls, New York city. 

At 2.30 P. M. the convention will 
discuss The training of Teachers for 
Girls' Trade Schools, under the chair- 
manship of Dr. Henry LeFavour, Presi- 
dent of Simmons College. Mary S. 
Woolman, Director of the Domestic 
Arts Department of Teachers College, 
New York City, will speak on New 
Requirements Made by the Trade 
Schools, followed by an address on 
The Inadequacy of the Present Source 
of Supply by Sarah Louise Arnold, 
Dean of Simmons College. What More 
Can Schools do to Meet the New Re- 
quirements will be the subject of an 
address by Florence M. Marshall, di- 
rector of the Girls' Trade Education 
League of the Women's Educational and 
Industrial Union. 

A public banquet will be given jointly 
with the Chamber of Commerce at the 
Hotel Somerset in the evening. 

On Friday, November 18, under the 
chairmanship of Magnus W. Alexander 
of the General Electric Company, Lynn, 
Mass., Apprenticeship and Corpora- 
tion Schools will be under discussion. 
Various phases of this subject will be 
dwelt upon by Tracy Lyon, Westing- 
house Electric and Manufacturing Co., 
Pittsburg, Pa.; F. W. Thomas, Super- 
visor of Apprentices, Atchison, Topeka 
and Santa Fe Railway System, Topeka, 
Kan.; Samuel F. Hubbard, Superin- 
tendent North End Union, Boston, Mass.; 
George G. Cotton, Solvay Process Co., 
Syracuse, N. Y. 

On Friday, November 18, Part Time 
and Evening Schools will be the sub- 
ject for the afternoon session. Dr. 
Paul H. Hanus of Harvard University 
will act as chairman, and among the 
subjects discussed will be the following: 

The Fitchburg Plan, by W. B. 
Hunter, Director Industrial Department, 
Fitchburg High School, Fitchburg, Mass.; 
The Beverly Industrial School, by 
Adelbert L. Saft'ord, Superintendent of 
Schools, Chelsea, Mass.; The Public 
Schools and the Apprentices of Cin- 
cinnati, by Frank B. Dyer, Superin- 
tendent of Schools, Cincinnati, Ohio; 
The Evening Schools of Boston, by 
Stratton D. Brooks, Superintendent of 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



£75 



Schools, Boston, Mass.; Evening In- 
dustrial Schools of Massachusetts, by 
C. A. Prosser, Deputy Commissioner of 
Education, state of Massachusetts. 

On the evening of Friday Dr. George 
Kerschen Steiner, superintendent of 
Schools of Munich, Bavaria, will deliver 
an address on Continuation Schools of 
Germany. Frederick P. Fish, chairman 
of the State Board of Education, Boston, 
will ])reside at this meeting. 

Saturday morning at 9.30, James P. 
Munroe will preside over the meeting 
to be devoted to The Social Meaning 
of Industrial Education. Among the 
subjects to be discussed will be The 
Economic Significance of Industrial Edu- 
cation, by T. M. Carver of Harvard 
University, and Labor's Demand on 
Industrial Education, by Charles H. 
Winslow of the Bureau of Labor, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

The Subway Problem 

In view of the great interest in the 
subway problem NEW BOSTON is pre- 
senting to its readers the various plans 
being advocated to relieve the situation. 
That put forward by the Boylston Street 
Merchant's Association appears in this 
number and in subsequent issues there 
will be statements from those advocating 
the West End loop and other projects. 

Boston Elevated Improvements 

The account of what the Boston 
Elevated Railway Company has done 
for the aesthetic betterment of Greater 
Boston, given in this issue of NEW 
Boston, makes a notable record of 
accomplishments, greater than has per- 
haps been generally appreciated. Even 
'though Mr. Coburn may have painted his 
picture in colors somewhat roseate, it must 
be conceded that the Boston Elevated ap- 
pears to have done more in this direction 
than any other local-transit company 
in this country. ' Well-designed stations, 
viaducts and other structural features 
are undoubtedly important additions 
to the good looks of Greater Boston. 
They should go far towards realizing 
the ideals of a better city. Meanwhile 
there is still room for improvement. 
The matter of advertising upon the 
premises of the company has been a 
subject of no little adverse criticism. 
Public sentiment is more keenly sensi- 



tive to the advertising nuisance than 
many people appreciate. It is claimed 
in behalf of the company that the in- 
come from its advertising privileges is 
an item altogether too great to be ne- 
glected; that otherwise the profits of the 
company would be materially lessened and 
it would not be able to give the public so 
good a service. This may be true, but 
it is nevertheless to be regretted. 

In Bournemouth, England, where the 
tramways are owned and operated by 
the nmnicipality, the city authorities 
forego a large revenue and rigidly ex- 
clude advertisements from the street 
cars. This is all the more notable, 
since in England advertising, both on 
tramways and on the steam railways, 
is habitually carried to a degree that 
would not be tolerated by public senti- 
ment in this country. It seems un- 
fortunate that our local-transit companies 
cannot follow the same policy in this 
regard that steam railroads here in New 
England do. The latter are entitled to 
high credit for resisting the temptation 
to add to their revenues by exploiting 
the advertising possibilities of their 
stations and their cars. It is said that 
one of our great railroad companies has 
refused offers for advertising privileges 
that would have yielded a revenue as 
high as one per cent on its capital stock; 
nevertheless the proposition was not 
entertained for an instant, for it was 
felt that it would be offensive to the 
public and a correspondingly poor and 
short-sighted policy. ^ 

Our steam railroads have also done a 
great deal towards making their stations 
and their grounds in and around Boston 
artistically attractive. The example of 
the Boston and Albany is justly cele- 
brated. But the public at large may 
not appreciate how far the other rail- 
roads have carried the principle in various 
particulars. For instance, the way in 
which the desolate aspect of a great 
railroad yard can be relieved is shown by 
the charming little oasis at the junction 
of the Fitchburg and Portland divisions 
of the Boston and Maine, just across the 
Charles River from the North Station. 

A particularly notable example of how 
an enlightened railroad policy may con- 
vert the commonplace and even the ugly 
into features of striking beauty is the 



276 



NEW BOSTON 



new signal-tower of concrete just built by 
the New York, New Haven and Hartford 
near Savin Hill station in Dorchester, 
daily admired by thousands of passengers. 

The Boston Elevated deserves popular 
recognition for what it has done and 
should thereby be encouraged to keep 
on with its good work. In the matter 
of noise, for instance, much remains 
to be desired. Further elevated con- 
struction should be designed particularly 
with this end in view as well as for 
presenting a more artistic appearance. 
An elevated structure of reinforced con- 
crete can be made almost noiseless as 
well as architecturally pleasing. It is 
to be hoped that this principle will be 
adopted in connection with such work 
as the Maiden extension, for instance. 
It would be poor policy to insist upon 
continual noise-making simply because 
the company has been obliged to pay 
damages for the noise nuisance for 
which it has been held responsible. 
The friendly regard of the public is one 
of a public service corporation's greatest 
assets. This can be secured in no better 
way than by showing a disposition to 
eliminate noise so far as possible, not 
only in new construction, but in im- 
proving the older parts of the line where 
noise has been paid for. Eventually 
the company would share handsomely 
in the enhanced public prosperity due 
to improved property values and more 
healthful and agreeable conditions ef- 
fected by the suppression of noise. 

It would also pay in these ways to 
abate the smoke-nuisance at the com- 
pany's power-houses. Let us hope that 
the experiments in that direction, said 
now to be actively in'[hand, will prove 
successful. 

The Month in Boston— 1915 

The Directors and Executive Com- 
mittee of the Youth Conference met on 
September 20. It was voted to dissolve 
the Committee on Boys' Games appointed 
for the summer and to appoint a new 
committee to formulate ])lans for future 
work in athletics for youth. Dr. A. E. 
Garland and N. J. Young were appointed 
on this committee and were instructed 
to secure a third member from the 
Amateur Athletic Union of New England. 
Mrs. John F. Suckling, Miss Edith M. 



Howe and Mr. Mitchell Freiman were 
appointed a committee to ascertain 
what has been done in Boston in the 
matter of recreation for older boys and 
girls. The committee voted to investigate 
the desirability of the curfew law in 
Boston. At a subsequent meeting the 
tentative syllabus of needs was revised 
preparatory to submitting it to con- 
ference for approval at an early date. 

The Directors and Executive Com- 
mittee of the Neighborhood Conference 
met on September 20. Plans for the 
pageant were explained and discussed. 
Mrs. M. Josephine Bleakie, Rev, 
Christopher R. Eliot and Mr. Frank S. 
Mason were constituted a committee 
to nominate permanent officers for the 
conference. A preliminary syllabus on 
the "neighborhood needs" of Boston 
was submitted and revised. At a later 
meeting the syllabus was further revised 
and adopted as final. 

On September 23 and again on Sep- 
tember 28 meetings of the Educational 
Conference Committee were held. Care- 
ful and detailed consideration was given 
to a list of topics suggested for investiga- 
tion. The list was approved and ac- 
cepted as final. The committee will 
supervise an investigation of the educa- 
tional facilities of Boston. 

The Boston Art Commission Com- 
mittee met on September 7 and on Sep- 
tember 23. A sub-committee consisting 
of Mr. Henry G. Pickering, Frank 
Chouteau Brown and Cyrus E. Dallin 
are considering the desirability of ex- 
tending the powers of the Boston Art 
Commission. 

The City Planning Conference Com- 
mittee at a meeting on October 7 tooli 
steps towards submitting the final draft 
on a syllabus on the city-planning needs 
of Boston. 

On October 10 the Fine Arts Com- 
mittee discussed plans for the coming 
pageant. Mr. Arthur Burnham reported 
on the auditoriums of St. Paul, Mil- 
waukee and Denver. The committee 
is working on syllabus of musical and 
dramatic needs of Boston. 

The Civic Conference met on October 
20 in the committee room of the Tremont 
Building. Plans for distributing the 
work among the six sub-committees 
were taken up and tentatively approved. 



^rosram of tfje pageant 

BOSTON ARENA-Nov. 10, 11, 12 






FREDERICK ALLISON TT PPER JAMES P. MUNROE JOHN W. DeBRUYN 

Author of the Prologue Executive Director Bostoa-1915 Business Manager the Pageant 




FRANK CHOUTEAU BROWN 
Dramatic Director 



FRANK T. MERRILL 

Designer of Special Costumes 



LOTTA A. CLARK 

Directorof^the Pageant 






JOHN A. O'SHEA JAMES GILBERT ALBERT M. KANRICH 

Director of Chorus and Orchestra Master of Dramatic Training In charge of orchestration and 

arrangement of music 



PAGEANT COMMITTEES 



ORGANIZATION 

Mr. Edwin D. Mead 

Dr. Colin A. Scolt 

Mr. Frank T. Merrill 

Miss Mabel Hill 

Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews 

Dr. David D. Scannell 

Mr. Will C. Eddy 

Mr. Vesper L. George 

Mr. Frank Chouteau Brown 

PERFORMANCE 

Boston High School HistoryCouncil 
Boston Teachers' Club 
Curry School of Expression 
Emerson College of Oratory 



GENERAL ADVISORY 
Mr. William Orr 
Hon. James O. Lyford 
Rev. Thomas I. Gasson, S. J. 
Mrs. Barrett Wendell 
Prof. George P. Baker 
Mr. William Chauncy Laugdan 
Mrs. Mary F. Chapman 
Mr. Walter Gilman Page 
Mr. James B. Noyes 
Mr. Ralph Davol 
Mr. Solomon Lewenberg 
Mr. Arthur Burnham 



ADVISORY ON MUSIC 

Mr. Arthur Farwell 

Mr. William J. McCoy 

Mr. Henry F. Gilbert 

Mr. Arthur Shepherd 

Mr. Chalmers Clifton 

Mr. Albert M. Kanrich 

Mr. James M. McLaughlin 

COSTUMES 

Mr. Vesper L. George 
Mr. Frank T. Merrill 
Mrs. John C. Fairchild 
Mr. Walter Gilman Page 
Miss Catherine M. McGinley 



SUMMARY OF THE PAGEANT 



PROLOGUE 

Father Time invites Labor, Progress, Success, Prosperity, Peace and Happiness 

to assist man in his work. 

EPISODE I. 

The Cave-dweller in his solitary home. The first hearth-stone. 

Interlude. Vineland welcomes the Norsemen 

EPISODE II. 

Life in the Indian village. 

Interlude. The Dance of the Wave 

EPISODE III. 

The Colonists and their Settlement for freedom in the new land. 

Scene 1. The struggle for existence. 

Scene 2. Strength and Progress. An early Thanksgiving. The resistance to 

tyranny. Governor's Reception. 
Scene 3. Later wealth and prosperity. 



INTERMISSION — FIVE MINUTES 



Interlude. The Passirig of the Indian 
EPISODE IV. 

Present Success and Future Improvement. Father Time shows Boston and 

her neighbors: 

1. Contrasts of the past and present in Communication, Travel, Education 

and Industry. 

2. The Present City supplants the Indians, the early Colonists and the later 
^ Colonial citizens. 

3. The Future City will enjoy safety by Prevention from Fire, Dust, Disease and 

Germs; Slavery and Serfdom; Crime and Insanity; — from War, and Strife 
between Capital and Labor. 

4. The Assimilation of the nations. America receives other nations. The Pageanters 

pass in review before Boston and her neighbors. 



PROLOGUE 



I show the progress of the human race; 
From darksome caves man's spirit led him up, 
By slow degrees, unto a high estate, 
Through storm and stress and struggle unto peace — 
Time works for good. 

Your fathers, fearless of the ocean storms. 
The rock-ribbed shores, starvation, savage foes. 
For you prepared the country of the free. 
Yourselves you honor, when you honor them — 
Time works for good. 

Life grows more strenuous with the rush of years, 
Man's victories over earth and sea and sky 
Have conquered space and threatened our domain, 
Have raised him high above the ancient Kings, — 
Time works for good. 

The astonished eagles scream in wild surprise 
To see strange human forms scale heaven's walls, 
And baffled flutterings of defeated wings 
In headlong flight announce man's victory, — 
Time works for good. 

Man rushes on in chariots of fire, 
Speaks to his friend a thousand miles away, 
O'er ocean sends his wireless messages. 
Or makes the throbbing wire convey his thought, — 
Time works for good. 

There still are conquests for mankind to win 
In realms above the plane of time and space. 
For grander cycles still are near at hand 
To bring a larger and a better life, — 
Time works for good. 

Thou three-hilled town by the Atlantic wave. 
Loved as no town was ever loved before. 
Assume thy place as radiant first and best 
Of all earth's cities, whether far or near, — 
Time works for good. 

Harmonious nations fostered by thy love. 
And consecrated to the public good. 
With grateful hearts salute the starry flag. 
And proudly sing: "My Country, 'tis of thee," — 
Time works for good. 

— Frederick Allison T upper. 



"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 

The Pageant of the Perfect City 

DESCRIPTION OF THE PAGEANT 



Overture, "American Fantasia,'' Herbert. 
Chorus, "American Hymn," Keller. 

Prologue, Father Time as Chorus, summons forth Labor, Progress, Success, Peace, 
Prosperity, and Happiness. Tableau. 

EPISODE I. 

A cave man is seen crouching at the mouth of his cave. He stretches himself, 
shades his eyes and starts forth in search of game. 

After his departure his wife and children come out from the cave home, and 
while their mother goes to the spring for water, the children play around the mouth 
of the cavern. Two other cave men, who are hunting food, enter and pass below the 
cave man's home — and soon after they disappear two women are seen coming from 
the same direction carrying bags of seed and grain, which they prepare for their 
meal among the stones below the cave. As they work and as the children play with 
stones upon the ledge above them, a cry in the distance announces that the hunters 
have made a kill. Soon after the huntsmen are seen returning from the hunt, drag- 
ging their game after them. A discussion arises between the cave men, and a struggle 
over the fruit of their hunt follows. The women run to the aid of their men and the 
cave man Ab is left with one of the animals, while the other two with their wives 
drag off the other to their own caves. When the two cave men have gone Ab takes 
his game up beside his cave and returns to the fire, which has previously been kindled 
by his wife by the aid of flints and stone, bringing a piece of the fresh meat he has 
stripped from the carcass, and the father, mother and children gather around the fire 
cooking their meal over the first hearth-stone. 

Interlude — Vineland Welcomes the Norsemen 
EPISODE II. 
Music — "Dawn." Arthur Farwell 

The light discovers an Indian with his arms stretched out to greet the 
dawn. The Indian chants and calls to his people. Indians enter bringing wig- 
wams, baskets and other furnishings for their settlements. They pitch their wigwams, 
two near the young chief who has called them and one further away. The women 
sit in front of the wigwams. Some weave baskets, some pound corn, some bring 
water. The Indian men teach the boys to shoot at the reindeer skin held up- by two 
Indians. The Indian children are taught to dance. 

The young chief goes to one of the wigwams where an old squaw sits weaving. 
He tells her that he is going to choose a wife from the home of a neighbor and she 
urges him to bring no idle woman to her home, but to bring one who will help willingly. 
The young chief departs and is seen to re-enter with a deer on his shoulder near the 
further wigwam, and to approach the Indians sitting beside it. He lays the deer at 
the feet of the young maiden and asks for her hand. Her father tells him that he may 
have her if she will follow him, and she lays her hand in his showing her willingness to 
be his bride. He leads her away and comes later to his own dwelling. He calls his 
neighbors all about him, presents his bride and in honor of the wedding the boys 
and men play games and the old men sing songs. 

While this is going on, an Indian runner comes in and brings wondrous news of 
a pale-faced god whom he has seen, who teaches of another great spirit and of wondrous 



"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 



281 




Copyright by 
F. B. Moore 



IROQUOIS INDIANS FROM F. E. MOORE'S " HIAWATHA " 

These Indians will appear in the Pageant 



happy hunting grounds of which Indians have never dreamed. The other Indians 
laugh and scoflf at him, but the young brave tells them that what the runner says is 
true, that he has seen it in a dream. While they are talking, a priest and several 
followers enter with a party of friendly Indians. The priest blesses the whole com- 
pany and brings them good tidings. All salute the priest as he passes out. 

The Indian squaws tell the braves that the game should be brought in. The 
Indians in council determine to go upon the warpath to clear the hunting grounds of 
the enemy. They bid the women prepare the tents for moving to safer ground. 
They dance the war dance and later follow the women. 

Interlude — Dance of the Waves. 

EPISODE III. Scene 1. 

The first scene of this episode opens with the appearance of a small exploring 
party of Indians accompanied by two colonists, one of them their captain. After an 
examination of the ground, a site for a fort and a temporary encampment is selected 
on the space immediately beneath the cavern, where a number of logs are available 
for the construction of the fortification that the colonists feel necessary for their 
protection in a strange and hostile land. 

As soon as the encampment site is determined upon, the captain despatches 
one of the Indians as a runner to guide the remainder of the party to the selected 
spot. The remainder of the Indians begin to gather logs and prepare the ground 
for the encampment, so that, immediately after the remainder of the party enter, 
they are set to work completing the building of the stockade. 



282 NEW BOSTON 

The main party of the colonists is accompanied by a small group of friendly 
Indians, who assist them in preparing the stockade; while two of the Indians mount 
to the space in front of the cave, where they kindle a fire to send word to their tribe 
of the camp location and summon their friends to join them. As was the old custom, 
the signal was sent by the "smoke talk" made by drawing a wet blanket over the 
fire and removing it at the intervals that made the words of the message. 

While this has been going on, Ezra, accompanied by a few of the friendly Indians, 
goes off to help bring in the women and children of the colonists, and soon returns 
with them laden with bundles carried by the party. 

When the fort is well along, a small group of colonists who have been gathering 
logs near the north entrance, returns swiftly to the stockade uttering a shout of 
warning. There follows them a small group of Indians and squaws, who enter bearing 
presents of food and grain, and who prove to be the remainder of the friendly tribe 
of Indians, who have received the smoke message and come in answer to it to meet 
the white men. 

The fort is now partially completed. A party of three Indians and two col- 
ionsts halt near one of the entrances, and express surprise. An Indian runs up, drags 
them back out of the way, and motions hastily to his companions. All then return 
swiftly to the stockade giving the alarm. 

Colonists: "There are strange Indians spying about." 

Caftain: "Are they friends?" 

The two or three Indians grunt and shake heads in emphatic negative. Cap- 
tain turns to men and women, who have paused in alarm at the news. 

Captain (to men): "Get to your muskets. Take all bundles and add to the 
stockade." (To the women as he points to stockade): "Inside! All of you." 

Captain (to minister) : "Take the women to a place of safety." 

In order to complete the structure as far as possible, the remaining logs are 
rolled into a barricade at either end, the bundles and baggage of the colonists are 
hastily tumbled over at one side, and all gather behind the stockade. The women 
and minister go off through the trees to a place of safety. The friendly Indians 
conceal themselves in the trees around the cave. Three unfriendly Indians enter 
and hide themselves behind the shrubbery while they reconnoiter. A hasty con- 
sultation follows between them, and one disappears to come back immediately, 
followed by the entire war party of Episode II. The friendly Indians who 
remain concealed about the cavern fire shots from among the trees during the 
engagement which follows. 

As the war party gathers, a group of three Indians and two colonists enter carry- 
ing bundles. They are perceived by the war party as well as by their friends in the 
fort, who fire a shot in order to warn them. They discover their danger, drop their 
bundles and flee to the fort at the west, pursued by most of the war party, who fol- 
low them until a fusillade of shots from the fort halts them near the center of the 
floor, from which place they discharge a flight of arrows and gain a hastily taken cover. 

A concerted attack is now made by the Indians, now numbering about 100, and 
after a preliminary bombardment with arrows, and a number of shots in reply from 
the fort and trees, at a signal they make a rush which is beaten off by the colonists, 
whose fire becomes much heavier. The Indians retire, leaving three or four of their 
dead in front of the stockade. Their leaders confer in front of the southeast entrance 
and determine upon method of the next attack. Meanwhile four or five friendly 
Indians from above the fort rush down the decline and clambering over or around 
the ends of the stockade, they scalp the dead Indians and retire with a howl of triumph 
waving the scalp-locks of the dead warriors. This draws another shower of arrows 
from the war party and another impetuous attack upon the stockade, which is so far 
successful that the Indians are able to get to close quarters. They surge around the 
ends of the fort and in the center succeed in tearing down a number of the upright 
posts. After a close fight, however, the Indians are again driven off and retire carry- 
ing off their'dead. The principal part of the group gets off at once. The others finally 
march off chanting their dirge. The friendly Indians come down from their position 



CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 



283 




THE MOORE INDIANS 



284 NEW BOSTON 

ill tlic tires arouiul llio cavo, with yells of Irimnpli to join Ihe settlers around the 
ruins of the stoekade. 

Captain: "Ezra, hriuf^lback the women." 

Messeiif^ers leave to hring back the women and children who are come together 
ill front of the stockade. The minister reads to them. 

Minister: "My children! Bow down before the manifold mercies of Almighty 
God. Let your hearts cease to be troubled, for this day it hath been shown unto 
you that he who believeth in the Lord shall be delivered from the hands of his enemies. 
Oh, T>,ord, Most High, guide and direct our steps that we may find favor in Thy sight 
forevermore. Amen." They all join in a verse of "O God, our help in ages past!" 

Ezra, who has gone after and returned with women, steps forward to captain: 

Ezra: "Let us leave this place. Further to the west is the river. Is not the 
water more protection than this forest?" 

Minister: "It may be safer. Brother Matthew." 

Captain: "Well, let us go." 

Ezra: "Captain, we had best fetch some of these logs. They are already cut 
and timber is scarce." 

The women and men go off carrying bundles singing. The remainder of the 
settlers follow with logs, axes, etc. 

Music — Navajo War Dance. Arthur Farwell 
EPISODE III. Scene 2. 

Enter town crier who passes around the hall calling people together. 

Toivn Crier: "0-Yes! 0-Yes! 0-Yes! To all ye of this colony I bring news 
O-Yes! A proclamation from your governor. His excellency bids ye listen, 0-Yes — 
this day — this hour — to the reading of the said proclamation by ye Reverend Jonathan 
Edwards. 0-Yes! Come all ye, gather to this place and listen." 

They gather to the number of about 200, some following him, others coming from 
the other entrances just before and after he passes by. The group includes women 
and children, all sorts of workmen, farmers, gentlemen, blacksmiths, carpenters, etc., 
who have come from their work to listen to the proclamation. 

a Enter Jonathan Edwards, the minister himself, followed by a small group of 
people; evidently those of more importance in the community, who all listen while 
he reads his proclamation of thanksgiving. 

Minister: "Whereas, it is the duty of all peoples to acknowledge the providence 
of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to im- 
plore his protection and favor, I do set apart and appoint the four and twentieth day 
of this instant, November, to be devoted by the people of this colony to the service of 
that Being, who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that 
will be." 

The workmen, talking together, leave in groups or singly, through the different 
entrances after the proclamation is ended. Some of them remain; some go out, to 
return later without their work implements to join in the festivities of the husking. 
The ox cart laden with corn enters and with a farmer on top to toss off bundles of 
ears to peoj)le below. The cart is j)receded and attended by more children and 
young folks, who are laughing, shouting and merry-making. They helj) in dragging 
oil the cart bundles of corn which they leave behind them as they move around the 
hall. A crowd remains scattered around arena. 
t^ Children: "Oh, here's the corn — the corn. Give us some corn. I want a red ear." 

Men distributing: "This for you — and this for you." 

Their noise is a signal for the crowd to turn to them. As the cart makes its 
progress from west to east — across the east end and back again to west, the boys 
and girls make its dri\er stop with shouts about at the north entrance. They all 
droj) onto the floor and start to husk. The cart is stopped again and unloads its 
last baskets. ()ld .John, the fiddler, hobbles along after the children. 

By the time the third group is settled, the first group is well into its husking 



"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 285 

and a loud cry comes from first group — "John, yours done yet?" "No." "Hurry up 
there." "Found the red ear yet.?" 

"A red ear! A red ear! A red ear!" (There is a scramble and a girl extricates 
herself from the group, is promptly chased and caught and kissed by one of the men.) 

Second group. "Where is John the fiddler.''" 

Others: "Yes, the fiddler! The fiddler and a dance." 

Children s Group: "Here he is. He is here." (The children drag him to center 
south with shouts of "Now we will dance.") 

First Group: "A reel! A reel!" 

Other groups of children and young folks continue with the corn-husking or 
play games of their own. The corn-husking is interrupted by the town crier, who 
enters bringing the news of the imposition of the Stamp Act. He is followed by 
several groups of the older and more serious men in active discussion. The town 
crier enters, bell in hand. He is coatless, excited and indignant. Shakes his bell 
in air. Instant silence. 

Town Crier: "Hear"'ye,'^hear ye. The Stamp Act has been passed." 

People: "What?" 

Town Crier: "The Stamp Act has been passed." 

"What say ye to that, men of this colony?" 

People: "Where was Franklin? — They take our money and give us naught. 
We won't pay for their soldiers. Show me the man who sells stamps here." 

Town Crier: "'Twas that dog Grenville." 

People: "Aye, Grenville! Grenville!" Crowd grows more noisy and unruly. 
Constable with two attendants enters hurriedly. 

Small Boys: "Here comes the constable, the constable!" 

Constable: "Way. Make way for his majesty's constable." 

All: "Way with Grenville! Down with the Prime Minister!" Violent tur- 
moil follows. The constable and his men are tossed hither and thither. The group 
dissolves and discloses the constable holding two men and one of his attendants 
holding another. 

Constable (to other attendant): "Go get me Thomas Crane." Attendant 
dives through crowd and bellows in town crier's ear. 

Crier (reluctantly relinquishing his leadership): "What's your want?" 

Attendant: "The constable requires ye!" 

Constable (shaking culprit) : "Announce me these men as offenders of the 
peace." He gives them over to the attendants and dives over into group to corral 
another he had marked. This one resists and his companions gather to his assistance. 

Crier (begins half-heartedly to cry): "Hear ye! Hear ye! A public notice! 
Two culprits, Thomas Lynde and James Carpenter, go to the stocks for a-breaking 
o' the peace." 

The group around constable are now working up quite a disturbance, the women 
looking on in dismay, when the nimister enters. The children and youngsters gather 
around and taunt and plague the prisoners. The women gather in separate groups 
to discuss the subject. 

Jonathan Edwards, the minister, enters hastily from west. His whole demeanor 
is forceful and calm, as he speaks to the great group about the town crier. 

Edwards: "Men of this colony." (At the sound of his voice they all turn with 
one accord and listen in silence). "Peace!" 

Townsman: "But the Stamp Act." 

Edwards (more forcefully and with great finality) : "Peace!" The men, abashed, 
leave the place mumbling. He watches them with compelling demeanor until they 
are gone. The constable takes his prisoner to stocks and places him in them. The 
women timidly look to Edwards for counsel and suggestion. Somewhat quieted the 
men exit with many expressions of discontent. 

Edwards: "Why stand ye idle here? Have ye no work to do?" 

The party now breaks up into four separate groups: 1. The Dame School. 
2. A spinning school. 3. A quilting party. 4. The singing school. The school 



286 



NEW BOSTON 




THE] DAME [[SCHOOL 



children first give their games, their reading and other historic episodes. The bustle 
and gossip of the spinning contest given on Boston Common come next. Then the 
quilting with gossiping and bustle. Finally, the singing school with their songs, 
under direction of the minister or a deacon, and again the finish of spinning contest. 

After the Dame School, the Quilting Party and the Spinning and Singing Schools 
have broken up, the people are seen gathering for the Governor's reception. They 
come in carriages, on foot and a'horseback. Those who have come from a distance 
lay aside their things and mingle with those who have come from nearer at hand, 
and all join in gossiping about the events of the day and the anticipated pleasures 
of the evening. 

It appears from the gossip of the servants and some of the girls who have been 
at the Spinning School that afternoon, that especially elaborate preparations made 
for the reception seem to indicate that an unusual development of some sort was 
to be expected before the end of the evening. 

Just as the incident of the Spinning School was suggested by an actual happening 
on Boston Common, so the Governor's reception that is shown in this scene of the 
Pageant is an outgrowth of the well-known occurrence of the marriage between 
Governor Wentworth and his maidservant, who had convinced him by her faithful 
service and care, of her eminently suitability for the position of his wife. This inten- 
tion the governor announces as a surprise to his guests. While the girl Martha goes 
off to don the Jsatin gown appropriate to her new station, the governor's nephew, 
who with some friends has returned from a belated hunt, at the request of his uncle, 
sings a song, and as soon as the new Lady Wentworth returns, the governor's guests 
join in congratulating them and in the performance of an old-fashioned minuet. 



CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 



287 



Introductory Dance — The Passing of the Indian 
EPISODE IV. 

After a brief intermission, the Aboriginal Period in America is symbolized by 
"The Passing of the Indian," in which the Indians are summoned from their native 
forests; and group themselves around the central mound representing the site of the 




MISS VIRGINIA TANNER, PAGEANT SOLO DANCER 

city of Boston, where they remain until they are displaced by the appearance of 
Boston accompanied by her Neighbors. 

Father Time appears and intones the prelude to the last episode, near the end 
of which the group of Boston and Suburbs, accompanied by their Guard of Honor, 
"The Knights of Economy," advance across the floor to their allotted location. The 
Indians slowly retire before the advancing city, and withdraw to their distant forests 
in the west. '^ ' ^ ^ n >;r r r . 

Boston, in assuming her position, is surrounded by the women personating the 
Suburbs and the Towns of the Metropolitan District, who are arranged in the same 
relations to the central city as that they actually occui)y on the map, Boston's 



288 



NEW BOSTON 




AUTOMOBILE EQUIPPED WITH LATEST EDISON BATTERIES 

To appearjin Pageant 



train symbolizing the waters of Boston bay and harbor being disposed by the train 
bearers to the east of the city. 

Music "Pomp and Circumstance," by Elgar 

Contrasts between the Past and the Present are briefly epitomized by the pas- 
sage of the Colonial Town Crier carrying his candle lantern, followed by a group 
of Boston newsboys, during whose progress across the floor the stereopticon pictures 
the wireless telegraph of the immediate future, so symbolizing the history and de- 
velopment of communication. 

Contrasts of Travel are indicated by the group of guests returning from the 
Governor's reception on pillions, in sedan chairs, chaises and of a colonial coach with 
its merry party of guests. In comparison with these earlier methods is shown the 
latest model of an ^electric, automobile, and [the [stereopticon 'displays an aeroplane 
overhead. 

Some of the contrasts of education are shown by the return of the group of Dame 
School children at the same time that a group of present day scholars enter to go 
through the games which are a new part of the school system of today." 

So also the group of spinners show the contrast of Industry between the co- 
lonial times and the present, where the stereopticon again gives a picture of the con- 
ditions existing in a modern factory and suggests something of the improvement 
possible in these same conditions so far as they have been made up to the present 
year. 

Music, "Contrasts" 1700-1900, by Elgar 



"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 289 

The remainder of the groups of the Colonial Episodes follow in historical sequence 
and group themselves behind the city of Boston. Boston and her Suburbs are next 
shown defending themselves by modern methods of prevention from the evils of 
Disease, Dust and Germs, who have been slowly drawing in toward the city from all 
directions until they are discovered and driven Imck by the "Knights of Economy." 
Groups typifying Slavery and Serfdom advance toward the city and place themselves 
upon either hand of the central group, while the Boy Scouts search for and drive 
out from the heritage of the city's past the personifications of Crime and Insanity, 
both being banished from the future city. 

War enters, followed by a group of soldiers and sailors in war-stained garb, 
and they advance upon one side of the city at the same time as Strife between Labor 
and Capital appears upon the other. The first group is met and reconciled by Peace, 
who advances to give her banner to the personification of War. At the same time 
the second group is brought together by means of blind Justice, led by Progress. 

Music — Symphonic Poem, "The City," by Arthur Farwell 

The spirit of America now welcomes and invokes from the east, the north and the 
south the gathering of the nations, who enter and place»themselves around the three 
sides of the city and each in turn dance a few measures of their national or symbolic 
dances. At the end of this dance the nations are suddenly thrown into confusion 
by the quick outrush, at the clang of the alarm bell, of groups of fire and flames, 
who drive in the dancers upon the city and are only in their turn repulsed when the 
nations have taken their positions back of the Boston group and the "Knights of 
Economy," assisted by the upspringing dancers of the American dance, succeed in 
driving Fire and Flames back from the future city. 

Boston and her Neighbors then advance to the end of the hall at the east, crowded 
ahead by the assimilation of the new nations with her past, and take their position 
facing the west to review the grouping of the nations, and the living flag. 

The spirit of America depicts in brief symbolism the innate patriotism of city 
and country, while the pageanters form upon either side of the hall for the final in- 
cidents of the Pageant. 

All join in the patriotic song of the evening and the march off is headed by the 
Boston group, who pass down through the hall to take their places at the western 
end of the slope leading up to the caveman's home. The pageanters, led by the 
Spirit of America, march off before Boston singing. The lights die down leaving 
Boston and the Suburbs grouped in a final tableau at the west. They disappear 
before the lights of the hall are turned [on [again [to indicate the end of the pageant. 



PAGEANT DRAMATIS PERSONAE 



PROLOGUE 

Father Time Mr. Alfred H. Brown 

Labor 

Progress 

Success 

Peace Miss Florence E. Lutz 

Prosperity Miss Josephine Hammond 

Happiness Miss Florence Lincoln 

EPISODE I.— The Cave Dwellers 

Ab, a cave man Mr. Thomas Hardy 

Wanda, his wife Miss Belle Fay 

Their two children 

Lobo ) . .1 ( Mr. Earle Cairns 

Fang [ t^° ""^^^^ ^^^^ »^^" I Mr.^Walter Todd 



290 NEW BOSTON 

C\\ir > f Miss Margaret Franklin 

AloV \ ^''''' ''^^^^'' ""^"^^ ^^"''''' ( Miss Grace Blackwood 

Interlude — VinelarnVs ivelcome to the Norsemen — Miss Virginia Tanner 

EPISODE II.— Life in the Indian Village 

The characters in this e[)isode are assumed by members of the Iroquois Indian 
Tribe, belonging to F. E. Moore's "Hiawatha Players." 

Interlude — Dance of the Waves — Miss Virginia Tanner 

EPISODE III. 

Scene l. — The Struggle for Existence 

Colonist Captain Mr. Ralph Naufftts 

j^2;ra Mr. John Crawford 

Minister Mr. Joseph H. Soliday 

The New England Conscience Mr. Winthrop Mather 

Early Colonists by St. John's Club, Charlestown, Old South Historical Society, and 

Lynn High School. 
Friendly Indians by Roxbury High School. 
Women Colonists by Old South Historical Society and Young Women's Christian 

Union. 
Indian enemies by Roxbury League. 

Scene 2. — Strength and Progress. An Early Thanksgiving 

Town Crier Mr. Thomas Crane 

Minister Mr. Joseph H. Soliday 

The New England Conscience Mr. Winthrop Mather 

Colonial Workmen by English High School and Mechanic Arts High School. 
Singing School by Field and Forest Club and AUston Women's Club. 
Older men by Dorchester Historical Society and Medford Historical Society. 
Women — Spinning School — by Girls' High School of Practical Arts. 
Quilting Party — By Roxbury High School. 

Dame School — by Charlestown High School and Mrs. J. B. Watson. 
Harvesters and other Colonial merrymakers by Brighton, East Boston, Watertown, 

Roxbury, English, Dorchester, Milton, Waltham, Woburn High Schools and 

Posse Gymnasium. 

The Resistance to Tyranny 
Constable, attendants and culprits. 

The Mob is composed of those who have appeared in the preceding incident. 

Governor's Reception 

Jotham Mr. Ralph R. Naufftts 

Sally Miss Jessie A. Luther 

Martha Miss Florence Preble 

Mistress Stavers Mrs. Miriam Frances Bagley 

Lady Parottee Mrs. Emma Prichard Hadley 

Rev. Arthur Brown 

Governor Wentworth Mr. Waldo P. Cutler 

Harry, his nephew Mr. G. Brown 

Lord Marrington 

Guests, Hunters and Minuet, by Norumbega Club, Posse Gymnasium, Young Men's 

Christian Union, and Charlestown, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, Melrose, Newton, 

Somerville, Cambridge, and West Roxbury High Schools. 



INTERMISSION — FIVE MINUTES 



"CAVE LIFE TO CITY LIFE" 291 

Introductory Dance — The Passing of the Indian. — Miss Virginia Tanner 
EPISODE IV. — Present Success and Future Improvement 

Father Time Mr. Alfred H. Brown 

The Spirit of America Miss Virginia Tanner 

Boston and her Neighbors, attended by the ''Knights 
of Economy" as a Guard of Honor 

Boston Miss Harriet E. Hutchinson 

The Suburbs aufl the Metropohtan Districts by the Boston Teachers' Club. 
"Knights of Economy" by the Boy Scouts. 

Scene l. Contrasts of Fast and Present 
Communication : 

Town Crier Mr. Thomas Crane 

Newsboys, by Boston Newsboys' Club 

Wireless Telegraph (Stereopticon) 
Travel : 

Pillions, Sedan Chairs, Chaises and Coaches by different guests returning from 
the Governor's Reception. 

Edison's Electric Automobile and Aeroplane (Stereopticon) 
Education : 

Dame School by the Charlestown High School and Mrs. J. B. Watson. 

Present day school by Roxbury High School. 
Industry : 

Spinners by Girls' High School of Practical Arts. 

Modern factory (stereopticon). 

Scene 2.— The Present City 

Includes in its historic past the Indians, Settlers, Colonists, Farmers and Mechanics, 
and other Colonial men and women who have already appeared in the earlier 
episodes. 

Scene 3.— The Future City 

Dust Clouds bringing Disease Germs by Curry School of Expression. 

Flames by Hale House, 

Slavery and Serfdom by Central Labor Union. 

War (Soldiers and Sailors) by Sons of Veterans and State Nautical School. 

Strife (Capital and Labor) by Central Labor Union. 

Scene 4. — The Assimilation of Nations 

The Spirit of iVmerica invokes other nations. 

Scandinavian by Swedish Club, EliseJonnson, President. 

English Maypole by Miss Howes' and Miss Ames' Girls' Clubs. 

Scotch by Lincoln House. 

Irish by South End House, South End Industrial School and North Bennet 
Street Industrial School. 

Dutch by Denison House. 

Russian by Elizabeth Peabody House. 

Hungarian by Braintree, Stoneham and Dedham High Schools. 

Italian by Hull Street House. ^ ' 

Southern Europe by Girls' HigirSchool. 

The Greek Element in the Athens of America by Girls' Latin School. 
The American Dance by Posse Gymnasium, Boston Normal School, and Milton, 

Waltham, Woburn, Charlestown, South Boston and West Roxbury High Schools. 

Symbolic Dance — "Aspiration" — Miss Virginia Tanner 
Patriotic Hymn by audience, chorus and pageanters 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



The Pageant was planned and organized by Miss Lotta A. Clark, 
Head of the History Department, Charlestown High School. 

The dramatic arrangements of the Pageant have been made by 
Mr. Frank Chouteau Brown, Architect, Chairman of the Dramatic 
Committee of the Twentieth Century Club, Director of the Drama 
League of America. 

The performances of the Pageant are given under the personal 
direction of Mr. James Gilbert. 

Miss Tanner's suite of dances was arranged by Mrs. Lilla Viles 
Wyman specially for the Civic Pageant, 

The Pageant dances are arranged and assembled by Miss Miriam 
Harris. 

The costumes for the Pageant are designed by Mr. Frank T. 
Merrill, illustrator of books and lecturer on "Colonial Customs 
and Costumes." 

The incidental music for the Cave Man Episode was written by 
William J. McCoy for the last Bohemian Club play in the 
Redwoods, California, and is repeated here for the first time by 
special permission of the Bohemian Club directors. 

The chorus and orchestra are under the personal direction of Mr. 
John A. O'Shea. 

The orchestration and arrangement of the music was made by 
Mr. Albert M. Kanrich for the Pageant, and is played by the 
Kanrich Orchestra. 

The cover and poster of the Pageant was designed by Vesper L. 
George, mural artist. 



LIST OF PAGEANT PATRONESSES 



Mrs. Grafton Abbott 

Miss Caroline D. Aborn 

Mrs. Josef Adamowski 

Mrs. Charles H. Adams 

Mrs. Enoch C. Adams 

Mrs. Ralph Albertson 

Mrs. Julia R. Aldrich 

Mrs. Thomas Allen 

Mrs. Charles G. Ames 

Miss Mary S. Ames 

Miss Edith Andrew 

Mrs. Edwin G. Andrews 

Mrs. Julius A. Andrews 

Mrs. William C. Appleton 

Miss Sarah L. Arnold 

Mrs. Thomas Aspinwall 

Mrs. Edward Atherton 

Mrs. M. A. Atkins 

Mrs. A. R. Bailey 

Miss Emily G. Balch 

Mrs. G. W. Barrett 

Mis. John L. Batchelder, Jr. 

Mrs. Walter C. Baylies 

Mrs. W. A. L. Bazeley 

Mrs. A. F. Bemis 

Miss Marion L. Blake 

Mrs. Herbert K. Blanchard 

Mrs. Dwight Blaney 

Miss M. Josephine Bleakie 

Mrs. C. K. Bolton 

Mrs. Albert D. Bosson 

Mrs. IngersoU Bowditch 

Mrs. T. J. Bowlker 

Mrs. J. R. Brackett 

Mrs. E. H. Bradford 

Mrs. Richards M. Bradley 

Mrs. R. S. Bradley 

Mrs. Edward Brandegee 

Mrs. Louis D. Brandeis 

Mrs. L. Vernon Briggs 

Miss Alice A. Burditt 

Mrs. Henry B. Cabot 

Mrs. Richard C. Cabot 

Mrs. Walter C. Cabot 

Mrs. Edward L. Cadieu 

Miss Ida M. Cannon 

Mrs. Arthur Astor Carey 

Mrs. William R. Castle, Jr. 

Miss Eva Channing 

Mrs. Walter Channing 

Mrs. Robert Farley Clark 

Mrs. E. A. Codman 

Miss Katherine A. Codman 

Mrs. William C. Codman, Jr. 

Miss Katherine Coman 

Mrs. S. Perry Congdon 

Mrs. Harry E. Converse 

Miss Ellen W. Coolidge 

Mrs. W. T. Councilman 

Mrs. James M. Crafts 

Mrs. Caleb Loring Cunningham 



Miss Hester Cunningham 
Mrs. Frederick H. Curtiss 
Mrs. Herbert B. Cushing 
Mrs. Samuel R. Cutler 
Mrs. Francis N. Darling 
Mrs. F. F. Davidson 
Mrs. Frank A. Day 
Dr. Blanche A. Denig 
Mrs. Charles S. Dennison 
Mrs. R. L. DeNormandie 
Mrs. Hasket Derby 
Mrs. D. Despradelle 
Miss Mary W. Dewson 
Mrs. C. R. Eliot 
Mrs. Harold C. Ernst 
Mrs. Glendower Evans 
Mrs. Arthur G. Everett 
Mrs. Charles Fairchild 
Mrs. John C. Fairchild 
Miss Katherine Fay 
Mrs. A. Lincoln Filene 
Mrs. Frederick P. Fish 
Miss A. E. Fisher 
Miss Laura Fisher 
Mrs. Adeline Fitz 
Miss Mary P. Follett 
Mrs. J. Malcolm Forbes 
Mrs. Wm. P. Fowler 
Mrs. Pryor Fulton 
Mrs. Lyman W. Gale 
Mrs. Irvin McD. Garfield 
Mrs. Bryant B. Glenny 
Mrs. Greenleaf Goodale j 
Mrs. J. L. Goodale 
Mrs. Robert Grant 
Mrs. John Chipman Gray 
Mrs. Henry Copley Greene 
Miss Kate Griswold 
Mrs. Curtis Guild, Jr. 
Mrs. Charles B. Gulick 
Mrs. Matthew Hale 
Dr. Annie L. Hamilton 
Mrs. Charles S. Hanks 
Mrs. John M. Harlow 
Mrs. F. B. Harrington 
Mrs. John L. Harvey 
Miss M. E. Haskell 
Mrs. Martin E. Hawes 
Miss Frances Hayward 
Mrs. H. Josephine Hayward 
Mrs. Charles E. Hellier 
Mrs. Augustus Hemenway 
Mrs. A. Henry Higginson 
Mrs. F. L. Higginson 
Mrs. Edward B. Hill 
Mrs. Clement S. Houghton 
Mrs. E. G. Houghton 
Mrs. Charles Howard 
Mrs. Henry Howard 
Mrs. M. A. DeWolfe Howe 
Miss Edith M. Howes 



294 



NEW BOSTON 



Mrs. Eliot Hubbard 

Mrs. J. C. Hubbard 

Mrs. George E. Hunt 

Mrs. Asher J. Jacoby 

Mrs. James M. Jackson 

Mrs. Arthur S. Johnson 

Mrs. James B. Jones 

Miss AHce M. Jordan 

Miss R. R. Joslin 

Mrs. Reuben Kidner 

Miss Susan M. Kingsbury 

Miss Rose Lamb 

Miss Margaret R. Lang 

Mrs. J. Lawrence 

Miss Madeleine Lawrence 

Miss Sarah Lawrence 

Mrs. William Lawrence 

Miss Frances Lee 

Mrs. Joseph Lee 

Miss Lucy Lee 

Mrs. Emery D. Leighton 

Mrs. A. D. Little 

Mrs. John D. Long 

Mrs. J. M. Longyear 

Mrs. J. Prince Loud 

Miss Georgina Lowell 

Mrs. James Arnold Lowell 

Mrs. Arthur Lyman 

Miss A. Lillian McGregor 

Mrs. Thomas Mack 

Miss Mary C. Mellyn 

Mrs. Edwin C. Miller 

Miss Susan Minns 

Mrs. James P. Minot 

Mrs. William Minot 

Mrs. S. J. Mixter 

Miss Adelene Moffatt 

Miss Mary Morison 

Miss Frances R. Morso 

Mrs. John C. Munro 

Mrs. Herbert Nash 

Miss Marian C. Nichols 

Miss Rose Nichols 
Mrs. Francis J. Noon 
Miss Mary Boyle O'Reilly 
Mrs. Robert Treat Paine 
Mrs. S. B. Pearmain 
Mrs. Leila C. Pennock 
Mrs. Arthur Perrin 
Mrs. D. L. Pickman 
Mrs. J. H. Pillsbury 
Miss Elizabeth Piper 
Mrs. Wm. Taggart Piper 
Mrs. Benjamin F. Pitman 
Mrs. Alexander S. Porter 
Mrs. Alexander S. Porter, Jr. 
Miss Charlotte Porter 
Miss M. O. Porter 
Baroness Rose Posse 
Mrs. Charles P. Putnam 
Mrs. William L. Putnam 
Mrs. Mary Pamela Rice 
Dr. Anna G. Richardson 
Mrs. John Ritchie, Jr. 
Mrs. G. Frederick Itobinson 



Miss Lilian V. Robinson 
Miss Maud M. Rockwell 
Miss A. P. Rogers 
Mrs. Henry M. Rogers 
Mrs. William B. Rogers 
Mrs. R. M. Staltonstall 
Mrs. Winhrop Sargent 
Dr. Eloise A. Sears 
Mrs. George G. Sears 
Mrs. William T. Sedgwick 
Mrs. Robert Gould Shaw, 2nd 
Mrs. George Sheffield 
Mrs. George F. Shepley 
Mrs. F. Foster Sherburne 
Mrs. Thomas Sherwin 
Mrs. J. B. Shurtleff, Jr. 
Miss Martha Silsbee 
Mrs. Henry H. Sprague 
Mrs. Frank Spaulding 
Mrs. J. H. Stannard 
Mrs. James J. Storrow 
Mrs. John F. Suckling 
Mrs. T. Russell Sullivan 
Mrs. J. O. Sumnef 
Mrs. Charles W. Tainter 
Mrs. N. B. T. Tainter 
Miss Alice P. Tapley 
Mrs. B. E. Taylor 
Mrs. Bayard Thayer 
Mrs. Ezra Ripley Thayer 
Mrs. John E. Thayer 
Mrs. Paul Thorndike 
Mrs. C. W. Townsend 
Mrs. Harriet B. Voorhees 
Mrs. Richard G. Wadsworth 

Mrs. Arthur W. Walker 

Mrs. William G, Wai-d 

Miss Mary L. Ware 

Mrs. Robert A. Ware 

Mrs. Joseph Warren 

Mrs. Winslow Warren 

Mrs. Webster Wells 

Mrs. Barrett Wendell 

Miss Lucy Wheelock 

Mrs. George Whiting 

Mrs. William Whitman 

Miss Anne Whitney 

Mrs. Henry M. Whitney 

Miss Helen A. Whittier 

Mrs. George H. Wilkins 

Mrs. Arthur Williams, Jr. 

Mrs. F. H. Williams 

Mrs. Ralph B. Williams 

Dr. Sarah Windsor 

Mrs. G. Edward Winn 

Mrs. Arthur Winslow 

Mrs. Erving Winslow 

Mrs. Alfred Winsor 

Miss Mary P. Winsor 

Mrs. Charles Francis Withington 

Dr. Grace Wolcott 

Mrs. Robert A. Woods 

Mrs. Arthur Woodworth 

Mrs. Alfred Worcester 

Miss Lucy Wright 



PAGEANTRY 

GEORGE P. BAKER 

Master of the Peterborough Pageant 



The rapid development of public inter- 
est in pageantry in England and the United 
States during the last few years shows 
it supplies something the public lacks. 
It is the revival of an old popular amuse- 
ment that from the moment of its re- 
vival has been developing into some- 
thing different from its origins. When 
English pageantry appeared in the second 
quarter of the thirteenth century, it 
was the "riding" — that is, persons on 
horseback and with floats went through 
the towns in gratulation to royalty or some 
local dignitary, at first with mumming 
only, then with words. The masque, 
the riding, the mumming, are hard to 
differentiate in the broad field of pag- 
eantry, running into one another; but 
the centuries from the thirteenth to the 
seventeenth saw many elaborate greet- 
ings to royalty in which "floats," speeches, 
music, poetry, and even dancing had 
part. Perhaps the chief characteristic of 
the pageant was that it was episodic — 
a float, or a group, representing some 
event in the man's history or that of the 
town; but there seems to have been 
little effort, except occasionally in carry- 
ing out some general allegory, to bind 
the episodes together. Modern pag- 
eantry, as developed in England at 
Bath, St. Albans, York, and many other 
places, notably under Mr. Louis N. 
Parker and other eminent pageant mas- 
ters, has dealt in vast numbers, and has 
aimed to give literary quality to the parts 
of the pageant and to interest as many as 
possible of the populace in the affair. 
In expensiveness it has rivalled the masques 
of James I. and Charles I., which cost as 
high as £15,000 to £20,000. The pageant 
at York is said to have cost $75,000, and 
to have paid, at that. Here in America 
matters have been somewhat more simply 
conducted, though the movement is stead- 
ily toward greater elaboration. The Phil- 
adelphia Pageant, The Pageant of the 
Bronx, The Gloucester Pageant, these 
and others have dealt with a thousand 



or more people. Side by side with 
these have apj^eared the pageants planned 
for smaller places: the Charlestown, the 
Deerfield, the Peterborough Pageants. 
One and all of these, however, have been 
historical — that is, they have tried to 
re-create thrilling or momentous events 
of the past history of the place in ques- 
tion, setting the episodes in beauty of 
scene and expression. Thus far in the 
United States the pageant has not gone 
much beyond this historical and episodic 
representation of the past. Even yet 
it is dramatically indeterminate. It is 
not a procession of antiques and hor- 
ribles; it is not a trades procession; but 
it may be, so long as it deals with the 
past, present, or future history of the 
place in question, about what its author 
cares to make it in dramatic value, 
literary finish, and elaborateness. The 
performance of Joan of Arc in the Stadium 
at Cambridge was not a pageant, but 
a play given under spectacular con- 
ditions which were far better suited to 
pageantry than playing — that is, to 
pantomime, effects by masses rather 
than individuals, and music by large 
bodies. The Gloucester Pageant set a 
play already written for other purposes 
in a splendid frame of pageantry. The 
Peterborough Pageant tried for the first 
time to express a town's history in music 
written by a former citizen, and aimed 
to bind the different episodes in a closer 
unity than is common. The present 
Boston Pageant works by contrasts, 
aiming to suggest future possibilities by 
placing in juxtaposition that in the past 
which was inei)t and uncomfortable, 
and the commonplaces of life today un- 
dreamed of by our forefathers. Should 
not this illustrated evolution stimulate our 
citizens to demand for Boston conditions 
which might seem ideal only did not the 
pageant show that the commonplace 
of today was the dream of a half 
century ago? At present pageantry, 
so heartily has the American people 



296 



NEW BOSTON 



taken to it, seems likely to be for us a 
combination of the Chronicle Play and 
the Morality, a free dramatic form 
which teaches, though not abstractly, 
by stimulating local pride for that in 
the past which makes the best incentive 



to future civic endeavor and accomplish- 
ment. Already in the communities where 
it has been tried, it has quickened 
patriotism, strengthened civic pride, and 
stimulated or revealed latent artistic 
powers. 



WHAT IS A PAGEANT? 



LOUIS N. PARKER 

English Pageant Producer 



A pageant is a part of the great Festi- 
val of Thanksgiving to Almighty God 
for the past glory of a city and for its 
present prosperity. Such an interpre- 
tation removes the whole thing at once 
to a high plane and out of the atmos- 
phere of the mere spectacular enter- 
tainment. The actual pageant should 
be — in the case of my pageants it always 
has been — opened and closed by great 
commemorative services on the previous 
and concluding Sundays in all the places 
of worship. 

It is a great drama representing the 
history of a city from the earliest period 
down to a date not too near the present. 
It is a powerful, historical object lesson. 

It is acted entirely by the citizens of 
the town themselves without professional 
assistance. That is, entirely by amateurs 
(except of course in the orchestra). If 
actors appear, they appear as amateurs 
and without remuneration; but pageant 
acting is quite distinct from stage acting 
and more suited to amateurs than to 
dramatic artists. 

It is acted by all classes, irrespective 
of creed, politics, or social position. 

It is acted, whenever possible, on a 
historical site; on the site upon which 
many of the events represented actually 
took place. It is strictly confined to the 
pageant grounds. There are no parades 
or processions in the public streets. 

It is in every detail a product of the 
town itself. That is to say, all costumes, 
armor, banners, heavy properties, small 
properties, in short all the things seen 



or used, with the fewest possible excep- 
tions, are discovered, invented and de- 
signed, and made by the townsfolk them- 
selves. The greater part of this work 
is done voluntarily. By this means the 
pageant becomes a splendid school for 
the development of arts and crafts, and 
also a wonderful exhibition of the skill 
of the citizens. Further, it leads to the 
discovery of a great number of talented 
people who have hitherto enjoyed no 
opportunity of showing what they could 
do. A pageant discovers historians, 
poets, composers, craftsmen of all kinds, 
singers, dancers, etc., etc. To me the 
preliminary work is of far greater im- 
portance than the actual pageant week. 

In my pageants there were between 
two and three thousand performers. 
They are all anonymous. They give 
their services without remuneration. The 
only exceptions are the professional or- 
chestral performers who are remunerated 
at the ordinary rates. In some cases, 
when we have had to employ a large 
number of soldiers we have made it 
worth their while by a small gratification. 

Performers are at liberty to purchase 
their own costumes from the committee, 
or to have them made privately, but 
always according to designs furnished 
by the committee. 

The bulk of the costumes are made 
by the pageant workers. It is hoped 
that as many as possible will be pur- 
chased (at cost price), but they can also 
be hired, and in case of the performers 
who are not able to do either, the cos- 



WHAT IS A PAGEANT? 



297 




LOUIS N. PARKER 



tumes are lent. No one ought to be 
prevented from taking part in a pageant 
for want of means. The average price 
of an ordinary costume is $2.00. 

When the pageant is held in the open, 
the audience is massed in a grand stand 
capable of seating between five and six 
thousand. I think six thousand would 
be the limit for hearing. The stand is 
roofed in and turned away from the sun. 
There is a week of so-called preliminary 
performances (absolutely complete in 
every detail) at which the children of 
the schools and as many as possible of 
the less moneyed classes are accommo- 
dated either for nothing, or at nominal 
charges, just sufficient to cover the cur- 
rent expenses. 

The pageant lasts three hours without 
any break or interruption, and during 
that time no refreshments or books can 
be sold on the stand. 



The music of the pageant is composed 
by a local musician or by local musicians. 

The master of the music should be a 
local musician; and, indeed, all the 
officials without exception, should be 
local men or women. 

The orchestra is under cover, and, 
with the conductor, concealed. 

In the writing of the text the master 
of the pageant invites and welcomes the 
assistance of local historians, authors 
and poets, on the condition, however, 
that he be allowed if necessary, to revise 
and abridge their contributions in col- 
laboration with them in the light of 
past experience. 

The master of the pageant is abso- 
lutely autocratic in all matters affectmg 
the text, the cast, the rehearsals, the 
performances, and the discipline both of 
the performers and of the auditonum. 
During all rehearsals and performances 



^9^ 



NEW BOSTON 



the Arena is shut off, and the master of 
the pageant has entire control. The 
auditorium and the arena are treated as 
though they were a great state theater; 
and it is impressed on every performer 
that he and she are taking part in a great 
and dignified National celebration. 

The master of the pageant has no 
voice whatever in the election or appoint- 
ment of any of the officials of the pageant 
or any of the heads of artistic depart- 
ments. The latter should not, however, 
be appointed until his views on the sub- 
ject of the pageant are clear to them and 
they can see their way to working with 
him loyally and cordially. He has no 
voice whatever in the finances of the 
pageant or in the letting of contracts, 
beyond stating his requirements. But 
he and his chief assistant are ex officio 
members of all committees. 

To come to the manner of starting a 
pageant, my mode of procedure has been 
as follows: Upon receipt of an invita- 
tion from the municipality of a city, or 
from some very prominent and influen- 
tial group of its citizens acting in com- 
bination with the municipality, I have 
first considered whether the city's history 
and its share in national history would 
offer an attractive and dignified canvas, 
and whether its present circumstances 
are favorable to a pageant. It would, for 
instance, be impossible to have a pageant 
in an ugly manufacturing town, or in 
a town which was indifferent or antagon- 
istic to matters of art and literature, or 
cared little for its own past. After having 
satisfied myself on this point I have 
visited the city and have carefully in- 
spected the proposed site and all possible 
sites. The site is of paramount impor- 
tance. It must, if possible, be historical. 
It must be beautiful, it must have ample 
space, and offer facilities for ingress and 
egress of the performers and cover be- 
hind which they can remain entirely 
out of sight when not performing; and 



this with only the slightest and almost 
imperceptible artificial aid. I tolerate 
no painted scenery. At the outside I 
have temporary buildings representing 
primeval huts — altars, etc. — which are 
removed when done with. 

Then if the preliminary committee 
have accepted my terms and conditions 
on principle, I address a great town's 
meeting under the aegis of the munici- 
pality and the most prominent men and 
women of the town and neighborhood. 
And then — well, then the thing goes. 

The financial system I invented for 
Sherborne has been adopted everywhere 
else and has worked very well. For the 
necessary current expenses a subscrip- 
tion is raised. This subscription is a 
first charge on possible profits and is 
returned out of them without reduction. 
The only privilege subscribers have, is 
that they may select their seats before 
they are thrown open to the public. 

A guarantee fund is raised, to be called 
upon only in case of financial loss, and 
then only pro rata. By this system, even 
if only the expenses are covered by the 
receipts, the pageant had not cost the 
town one cent, while whatever money 
has been spent on it, has been spent 
on the town itself. 

In this connection I will state that 
Sherborne realized a profit of $5,000, 
Warwick $15,000, a pageant I wrote 
for the Duchess of Albany $10,000 in 
only two performances, and Bury St. 
Edmunds, $7,000. Dover resulted in a 
loss. I will not go into the reasons, but 
only say that in many respects it was 
the finest spectacle of all. I deprecate 
very strongly giving the pageant for 
any definite charitable object, or at 
any rate, announcing that object be- 
forehand. It should not be given pri- 
marily with the view of making a profit. 
It is worth while doing for its own sake 
or not at all. There must be no money- 
grabbing of any sort. 



THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BOSTON-1915 



Outsiders used to jeer at Boston by 
calling her a "state of mind." Some 
hustling Westerners have even dared 
to call her a "state of talk." The joke, 
however, is now on them; for we Ameri- 
cans are finding out that every city is 
a "state of mind," and that to bring 
a municipality to the right "state of 
mind," there is required a vast amount 
of repeated and reiterated talk. 

If its state of mind is quarrelsome, a 
city will be an armed camp, like mediaeval 
Florence; if it is unprogressive, the city 
will be a huddle of cabins, like Canton; 
if it is sordid and selfish, the city will be 
filthy and unattractive, like many of 
those in Asia, Eastern Europe, or even 
the United States. On the other hand, 
St. Petersburg sprang from the single 
masterful brain of Peter the Great, while 
modern Paris and modern Washington 
are substantially the creations of a few 
far-seeing minds. If one man, or even 
ten men, of intellect, having also vision, 
resourcefulness and perseverance, can 
accomplish such seeming miracles in 
city building, what might not all the 
minds of a modern city do in these days 
of science, inventiveness and skill, were 
those minds instructed, united and de- 
termined to succeed. f* 

There is no reason, except bad habits 
to the contrary, why a municipality 
should not be planned, instead of being 
"just growed" like Topsy; there is no 
reason, except carelessness, why the 
municipal house should not be kept 
clean and made beautiful, like any 
private mansion; there is no reason, 
except indifference, why its affairs should 
not be conducted economically and on 
strict business principles, like those of 
any other enterprise. To secure a city 
which is properly planned, decently 
ordered and economically administered, 
its citizens have only to get into a "state 
of mind" where they not only want these 
things but also believe them to be pos- 
sible. One of the fundamentals of 
Boston-1915 is to help to create that 
state of mind. 

To set a million, or even ten thousand, 
persons thinking in terms of the future 
as well as of the present; to get a ma- 



jority of them to think alike; and then 
to persuade them to put their thoughts 
into action, requires, of course, organi- 
zation. And that organization will be 
good for nothing unless it gets at the 
whole body of the citizens. It is useless 
for a learned commission to spend 
months or years in perfecting a plan 
for city development unless there is 
some way of getting the people to under- 
stand and to stand behind that plan. 
It is a waste of effort to pass laws and 
ordinances unless the citizens who are 
to observe those regulations are made 
to see their justice and common sense. 
It is impossible to run a city economically 
and on strict business principles until 
at least a majority of the people realize 
that every bit of waste, extravagance 
and graft is paid for with their hard- 
earned money, their loss of comfort, or 
even their very lives. 

The significance of Boston-1915, there- 
fore, is in the fact that it is trying, in 
an organized way, to get at all the 
people and to make them understand 
that the city is themselves. It is attempt- 
ing to make clear that in so far as the 
city may be wasteful of money or of 
lives, in so far as it may be ugly, dirty 
and noisy, in so far as its facilities for 
transportation, education, health, recrea- 
tion, etc., may fall short of what other 
cities have, the fault is the people's and 
the remedy is in their hands. The 
citizens of Boston or of any other place 
can have everything, within reason, that 
makes for health, comfort, beauty and 
efficiency if they will only work for it. 
To be successful, however, they must 
work not as individuals, not through 
isolated clubs or societies, not as divided 
communities or sections^ — they must work 
as a single federated, co-ordinated or- 
ganization, giving to each project for 
city betterment the concerted strength 
of the whole citizen body. 

The purpose of Boston-1915 is to 
stimulate and organize this spirit of 
co-operation by studying through con- 
ferences of experts the city's immediate 
and future needs, by deciding through a 
representative directorate which of those 
needs should enlist immediate attention 



300 



NEW BOSTON 



and by bringing, through its effective 
organization, intelligent and widespread 
support to the projects thus endorsed. 
The aim of Boston-1915 is constructive 
work, carried out through democratic 
methods and in a spirit of unfaltering 
optimism. 

In furtherance of this general aim, 
Boston-1915, in the year and a half of 
its existence, has done, or is in process 
of doing, the following specific things: 

It has secured through organization 
the practical co-operation of 1,100 lead- 
ing organizations upon anything that is 
acknowledged to be for the general 
benefit of Greater Boston. 

It conducted on a business basis in 
1909 an exposition that was attended by 
200,000 persons, that not only helped 
the public to appreciate what the health, 
educational, transportation, philanthropic 
and other problems of a city are, but 
also made plain the need of a getting 
together of individuals, organizations and 
communities to work those problems out. 

It has made a careful study of the 
housing problem in Boston, has pub- 
lished an excellent report regarding it, 
and is employing an expert to follow 
up the work with a view to a better under- 
standing of existing regulations and, if 
necessary, to new legislation. 

It conducted in the summers of 1909 
and 1910 a series of boys' games that not 
only kept thousands of boys out of 
mischief, but led to great improvement 
in the playgrounds, and will lead to their 
more effective use for the physical and 
moral development of boys and girls. 

It was directly instrumental in getting 
through a state law restricting the use 
of dangerous fireworks, and it success- 
fully carried out a better method of 
celebrating the Fourth of July, with 
the result that accidents were reduced 
by six-sevenths and there were no deaths. 

It has been and still is active in bring- 
ing about a proper disposal of city gar- 
bage, ashes and other wastes. 

It brought about the reservation of 
benches for women on the Common 
during the summer months. 

It gave essential assistance in estab- 
lishing vocational direction in the Boston 
schools, and in starting the various 
co-operative engineering, industrial and 
business schools that are now carried 



on under public or private auspices. 

It is co-operating with experts in es- 
tablishing a Bureau of Information and 
Research, which shall collect and dis- 
seminate information concerning munici- 
pal research and development. 

It is co-operating with the Chamber of 
Commerce in devising a definite plan for 
the physical development of Boston, 
which shall result in important gains in 
transportation and commercial facilities, 
as well as in health, beauty and general 
well-being. 

It has co-operated with other agencies 
in bringing about the extended use of 
school buildings, so that these expensive 
plants may be utilized for the education 
of the whole neighborhood. 

It is endeavoring to bring about a 
better training for immigrant children 
to fit them for useful citizenship. 

It is making plans for a central civic 
building to bring all the public and pri- 
vate charities and civic organizations 
into close co-operative relations. Also 
for a civic auditorium for great popular 
gatherings, similar to those in Denver 
and St. Paul. 

It has appointed a committee to take 
up the serious question of delays in 
court procedure, and to work for remedial 
legislation. 

It is making a study of co-operative 
distribution with a view to lessening 
the cost of living. 

It is making preparations for the 
Civic Advance Campaign described on 
another page, which shall rouse the 
people in all sections of Greater Boston 
to an appreciation of what they can do 
and ought to do through co-operative 
effort for the real city of Boston, the 
tenth largest in the world. 

It is arranging in connection with this 
a conference of New England mayors, 
to discuss questions of health, education, 
city planning, etc., in which the civic 
organizations can be of direct assistance 
to the municipal officials. 

It has planned, also in connection with 
the Civic Advance Campaign, for the 
pageant, "Cave Life to City Life," which 
will dramatize the idea of city building, 
and which will be the starting point for 
enlisting the youth of Greater Boston in 
active work for a better city.J 

It has made a list, through its Health 



HOW BOSTON-1915 WORKS 



301 



Conference of the health needs of Greater 
Boston, and is in various ways assisting 
those who are working to bring about 
better conditions as to the control of 
contagious and infectious diseases, school 
and industrial hygiene, the prevention of 
infant mortality, etc. 

Through most of its other constituent 
groups it is preparing similar lists con- 
cerning education, philanthropy, etc., 
and will take up one by one the prob- 
lems which those lists present. 

It has watched and will continue to 
follow all state and city legislation bear- 
ing upon municipal development, with 
the object of bringing its organization 
to the support of good measures and in 
opposition to bad ones. 

It is working with the Pilgrim Pub- 
licity Association and other agencies to 



"boom" Boston, and to inspire its own 
citizens and those in other parts of the 
country with faith in the splendid future 
of New England. 

It publishes a magazine, NEW BOSTON, 
through which it brings before the read- 
ing public the best modern ideas in civic 
development. This magazine, although 
only five months old, has a large and 
growing circulation. 

It is making plans for an exposition 
in the year 1915 which will not only 
show how much the city itself shall have 
accomplished in the next five years in 
developing its industrial, mercantile, civic, 
social and educational efficiency, but 
which will also present in graphic form 
the best that shall have been accom- 
plished in other cities of the United 
States and Europe. 



HOW BOSTON-1915 WORKS 



C. BERTRAND THOMPSON 

Organization Secretary 



The exposition of Boston-1915 in the 
old Art Museum last year brought to- 
gether a considerable number of the 
larger organizations of Boston and indi- 
cated roughly the ways in which they 
touch each other's work, and the possi- 
bilities of closer co-operation. It offered 
an opportunity to present to these or- 
ganizations the project of a large and 
inclusive federation which should em- 
brace them all in such a way as to make 
them available for mutual help. Some 
attempts to get representatives of the 
organizations together were made at 
that time, but without success. As soon 
as the Exposition closed, the preliminary 
labor of enumeration and classification 
of the Boston organizations was under- 
taken in earnest. This work was com- 
pleted toward the end of January, by 
which time all the sixteen hundred or- 
ganizations of Boston had been classified 
in accordance with a fairly logical and 
thoroughly practical scheme. 

The Boston organizations are grouped 
into the following thirteen classes: Busi- 



ness Organizations, Charities and Cor- 
rection Agencies, Educational Institu- 
tions, Health Organizations, Labor Or- 
ganizations, Neighborhood Organizations, 
Religious Organizations, Fine Arts So- 
cieties, City Planning Organizations, 
Civic Organizations, Co-operative Or- 
ganizations, Women's Clubs, and Organ- 
izations for Youth. 

All the organizations belonging to each 
group were invited to send delegates to 
a conference of that group. These con- 
ferences, called on a month's notice, met 
between February 21 and March 10. 
Each conference proceeded to elect Di- 
rectors of Boston-1915, to effect a per- 
manent organization, and to elect its 
own officers, usually a chairman, secre- 
tary, and executive committee. The 
labor group and religious conference were 
brought together somewhat differently. 
As organized labor is already represented 
in such bodies as the Central Labor 
Union, the Building Trades Council, 
and District Assembly No. 30 of the 
Knights of Labor, another conference 



302 



NEW BOSTON 



was deemed superfluous and these associa- 
tions directly elected their Directors of 
Boston-1915. It was not found practi- 
cable at this time to organize an inclu- 
sive Religious Conference, so on invita- 
tion Archbishop O'Coimell named two 
directors to represent the Roman Catho- 
lic Church. The Protestant churches 
were organized into a conference which 
is now known as the Federation of 
Churches of Greater Boston, and the 
Jewish Synagogues also held a confer- 
ence. The Protestants and the Hebrews 
each elected two directors. 

At about the same time the share- 
holders in Boston-1915 were organized 
into two groups, called the Urban and 
Suburban Conferences, each of which 
elected five directors. 

There is now a total of 1,208 organi- 
zations represented by delegates in the 
Conferences and on the Board of Direc- 
tors. 

An understanding of the work of these 
conferences is fundamentally necessary. 
As we have stated from the beginning, 
Boston-1915 did not enter the field to 
duplicate the work of any other organi- 
zation. Almost everything conceivable 
for the betterment of the city has been 
undertaken, more or less effectively, by 
one or more of our numerous institu- 
tions. If there is anything not yet un- 
dertaken our purpose is to call it to the 
attention of the proper body, or group 
of bodies, and leave it to them with 
their equipment and familiarity with 
the details of the work to attend to that 
particular thing. Boston-1915 is not 
an original but an auxiliary organiza- 
tion. Its work is not to initiate, except 
by way of suggestion, but it is to co- 
operate and to provide the machinery by 
which existing organizations may secure 
each other's co-operation. The latter 
purpose is accomplished through the 
conferences and the Board of Directors. 
A measure may be suggested by an or- 
ganization belonging to any conference. 
Ordinarily this is submitted to the 
Executive Committee of the conference, 
and then to the conference itself, and 
with their approval is referred to the 
central Board of Directors, who, if they 
approve it, either refer it back to all the 
conferences or to the particular ones 
interested, or in some cases, where 



there is no possibility of question, they 
may act at once on their own respon- 
sibility. This course secures first withir 
the conference the advice and co-opera- 
tion of all the societies working on similar 
subjects; overlapping and duplication 
are in this way brought to light and 
avoided. Reference to the central Board 
of Directors brings to bear the co-opera- 
tion of all the organizations affiliated 
with Boston-1915. In matters of wide 
general interest the force of such getting 
together is almost incalculable. It offers 
an opportunity for a concentration of 
public opinion and activity which should 
be well-nigh irresistible. 

To make this clear it is worth while 
to suggest a concrete case. A sub-com- 
mittee of our Art Conference is consider- 
ing the subject of a municipal assembly 
hall or auditorium. It is securing data 
about similar auditoriums in other places 
and the way in which they were financed 
and secured. When it has worked out 
a plan which it considers practicable 
for Boston, it will refer it to the Fine 
Arts Conference. In this conference all 
the musical societies, interested in giving 
concerts, the art societies, interested in 
a central place for exhibitions, and the 
dramatic societies, interested in a theater 
somewhat relieved from the baneful in- 
fluences of pure commercialism, will 
work the plan into shape to their satis- 
faction and will undoubtedly be vitally 
interested in bringing it to accomplish- 
ment. The plan as finally approved then 
goes to the Board of Directors where it 
will get the benefit of the varying points 
of view of men and women of demon- 
strated judgment in business and in 
civic and social affairs. As ultimately 
modified and adopted by the whole 
board it will be sent back to all the con- 
ferences for their recommendations, ap- 
proval and support. Such a building as 
supplying a much needed convention 
hall is of interest to every kind of worker 
in Boston; as a place for mass meetings it 
would appeal to civic organizations, 
improvement associations, women's clubs, 
etc. With the united and determined 
interest of 1,208 organizations concen- 
trated upon it there can be no question 
that such a building must be secured. 

I am enlarging on this subject some- 
what because in my woi'k with the con- 



HOW BOSTON-1915 WORKS 



303 



ferences I have often found that they 
do not themselves, as a rule, fully realize 
the opportunity that they have. It has 
been very gratifying to note that in the 
last two or three months some of the 
conferences have secured a live feeling 
of the way in which this organization 
can be of service. But it cannot be too 
often repeated that the effectiveness of 
the conferences of Boston-1915 depends 
upon the initiative of their constituent 
members and that Boston-1915 exists 
mainly to be of service to its constituent 
organizations, and through them to the 
city. Its aid can be unfailingly secured 
in the way I have indicated and it is to 
be hoped that these organizations will 
take advantage freely and largely of the 
chance they have. 

This is summed up in the following 
resolution adopted at the meeting of the 
Board of Directors, October 17, 1910, 
"Resolved that the fundamental work of 
the coming year shall be to increase the 
active co-operation of the twelve hun- 
dred organizations affiiliated with Boston- 
1915 with the projects which the various 
conferences shall decide are of imme- 
diate importance, and which shall have 
been approved by the Directors." 

What is Boston-1915 Doing? 

The question that everyone is asking 
is, "What has Boston-1915 done?" 
Everyone has been reminded so often 
of the Exposition, and the Housing Com- 
mittee's report, and the Saner Fourth, 
and the Boys' games, that to most 
people they represent all our achieve- 
ments. But that this is a fundamentally 
erroneous view of the situation needs to 
be driven home. These things were of 
unquestionable value both intrinsically 
and for the publicity which they have 
brought to the movement. But the real 
achievement of Boston-1915 is the per- 
fecting of its organization, of a machine 
by which the civic force of all our in- 
stitutions is combined and converted 
into a product which can be most gen- 
erally described as a better city. This 
was effected only last spring; but since 
then the long summer months have 
intervened, and only now are the mem- 
bers of our conferences back at work 
in sufficient numbers to make meetings 
practicable. Consequently but few things 



have been brought to a sufficient stage 
of maturity to be made public, or to be 
pointed to as achievements. Neverthe- 
less in the short time in which we have 
been working, many things of consider- 
able importance to the city have been 
started and are well under way. These 
should mature during the coming work- 
ing year. Our record of the work of 
the conferences will therefore be a 
record of preparation and promise rather 
than accomplishment. But it is not on 
that account to be in the least disparaged 
or apologized for. We will take up the 
history of the conferences in alpha- 
betical order: 

Fine and Industrial Arts Conference 

This Conference was organized Feb- 
ruary 25 and held its first regular meet- 
ings March 3 and April 4, since which 
time its members have been so scattered 
that its work has been carried on by its 
Executive Committee. The conference 
appointed a committee to consider the 
advisability of enlarging the powers of 
the Boston Art Commission. This com- 
mittee is now actively at work. It 
appointed members on the joint Com- 
mittee on the Construction and Loca- 
tion of Schoolhouses w^ith reference to 
their more extended use. It appointed 
three sub-committees to prepare a sylla- 
bus of the needs of Boston in the realms 
of art, music and drama, respectively. 
These committees will be ready to report 
in about a month. It has a committee 
to take steps toward securing a great 
assembly hall for Boston. This com- 
mittee is also actively at work. 

Charities and Correction Conference 

This Conference met first on March 4, 
effected its permanent organization on 
March 18, and there have been many 
meetings of the Executive Committee 
and one meeting of the full conference, 
on May 5. At this conference meeting 
steps were taken to aid in securing the 
National Conference of Charities and 
Correction for Boston in 1911. The 
following resolution was adopted, "That 
the Executive Committee of this Con- 
ference be requested by this meeting 
to express to the Executive Committee 
of Boston-1915 the urgent need of a 
civic building, such a building housing 



304 



NEW BOSTON 



not merely the charities and correction 
agencies, but also the agencies aiming at 
civic improvement and the public welfare 
generally — the broader the inclusion the 
better for every department included." 
In response to this resolution the di- 
rectors have a committee now actively 
engaged in planning such a building. 
The conference has taken part in the 
formation of a Committee on Delays in 
Court Procedure in criminal and civil 
cases, and on the Workmen's Compen- 
sation Act. It also has a committee to 
consider and recommend action upon 
co-operation with the press, from which 
a solution of this difficult question is 
expected. The conference had an in- 
teresting and valuable preliminary sur- 
vey of the needs of Boston in this de- 
partment by Miss Frances G. Curtis, 
Mr. Charles W. Birtwell, and Mr. 
Robert A, Woods. 

City Planning and Housing Conference 

This Conference had its first meeting 
February 28, and effected its permanent 
organization March 7. The whole matter 
of a plan for the work of this conference 
was referred to its Executive Commit- 
tee, which is now working on that sub- 
ject. This committee considered and 
endorsed the report of the Housing Com- 
mittee; it assigned various phases of 
city planning to its members for the 
preparation of special reports; and at 
its last meeting appointed a committee 
to take up the matter of intelligent and 
useful numbering of street car routes. 

Civic Conference 

The Civic Conference met and or- 
ganized February 21. Regular meetings 
have been held on May 13, June 1 and 
October 20. This conference appointed 
the larger Saner Fourth Committee, 
whose work set a standard for future 
celebrations of Independence Day in 
Boston. It has contributed members 
to the Committee on Workmen's Com- 
pensation and Education of Immigrant 
Children, and upon Delays in Court 
Procedure. From this conference ema- 
nated a plan for a Bureau of Municipal 
Research which has been taken up by 
the directors and a committee of leading 
educators and which will soon be an 
accomplished fact. It has held lively 



meetings on the co-ordination of metro- 
politan districts, on the billboard nui- 
sance and on preferential voting. It 
aided in the defeat of the Treadway 
Bill, which was designed to hinder the 
abolition of illegal billboards. 

Education Conference 

The Education Conference met first 
on March 3, effected its permanent or- 
ganization on March 10, and held a 
mass meeting on April 29. The latter 
meeting was devoted to a general survey 
of the educational needs of the city and 
was addressed by Dr. Charles W. Eliot, 
Joseph Lee, Robert A. Woods, Frank P. 
Speare and G. W. Martin. It has con- 
tributed members to the Committees 
on Construction of Schoolhouses, the 
Education of Immigrant Children, and 
the Saner Fourth. It is co-operating 
with Miss Clark in the Civic Pageant, 
and sent representatives to the meeting 
of the School Board on Vocational Edu- 
cation, on October 7. Recently the 
Executive Committee has made an ar- 
rangement whereby Mr. MacCracken, 
one of Professor Hanus's graduate stu- 
dents, will work under the direction of 
the committee in the preparation of 
his doctoral thesis. The committee and 
Mr. MacCracken have agreed to make 
an investigation of the educational fa- 
cilities of Boston with special reference 
to industrial education. 

Health Conference 

This Conference was organized on 
March 8, and has held meetings on 
April 25, May 16, and June 24. At the 
meeting on April 25, Dr. Cabot pre- 
sented and discussed his syllabus on the 
needs of Boston in this department. 
This syllabus was made the basis for 
future meetings of the conference. At 
the meeting of May 16 there was a dis- 
cussion on birth, morbidity and mortality 
statistics by Mr. McGlennen, Dr. Rich- 
ardson and Dr. Davis. It was voted to 
appoint a committee to take action in 
relation to the improvement of birth 
statistics. This committee is now at 
work. The meeting of June 24 was 
devoted to the subject of infant mortality 
and it was voted "That the Boston- 
1915 Health Conference recommend to 
the Boston Board of Health the est^b- 



HOW BOSTON-1915 WORKS 



305 



lishment of a Bureau of Child Hygiene." 
Dr. Rosenau has appeared for the con- 
ference at the hearings at the City Hall 
on the disposal of garbage and refuse. 

Neighborhood Work Conference 

The Neighborhood Work Conference 
held its first meeting on February 23, 
and has met since on April 8 and May 1 1 . 
It has contributed members to the Com- 
mittee on the Construction of School- 
houses. On April 8 the members of the 
Conference met at dinner to get ac- 
quainted and to discuss in general the 
nature of the work of the conference. 
Mr. Woods presided, and the discussion 
was generally participated in. On May 
11a mass meeting was held to discuss the 
neighborhood needs of Boston. Mayor 
Fitzgerald presided and addresses were 
made by Miss Ellen W. Coolidge and 
Judge M. H. Sullivan, followed by 
general discussion. A sub-committee of 
the Executive Committee has been work- 
ing on a syllabus of needs and its report 
is now finished. 

Religious Conference 

The Protestant Conference met on 
June 13 and took steps to elect two 
directors of Boston-1915. This confer- 
ence met again September 26 and effected 
permanent organization under the name 
of the Federation of Churches in Greater 
Boston. The original intention was to 
limit it to the city of Boston, but after 
considerable discussion it was voted to 
make it inclusive of the whole metro- 
politan district, and of all creeds. The 
conference of the Jewish Synagogues 
met June 22 and elected two directors. 
The Catholic Directors are appointed 
by the Archbishop. 

Women's Club Conference 

This conference met first on February 
26, organized on March 12, and had 
another meeting on April 23. It has 
contributed members to the Committee 
on the Construction of Schoolhouses, and 
the Saner Fourth. It has taken steps 
to interest the civic committees of all 
the clubs in the work of Boston-1915, 
has appointed a committee to attend 
hearings on the disposal of garbage and 
refuse, has authorized the appointment 
pf a legislative committee to attend to 



legislation affecting Greater Boston, and 
is now working on a list of suggestions 
of special work to be taken up by this 
Conference. 

Youth Conference 

This Conference had its first meeting 
February 24, and met again April 12, 
June 9 and June 29. At its meeting on 
April 12 it undertook the work of the 
1915 Boys' Games Committee and ap- 
pointed the committee which carried 
out the games so successfully during the 
past summer. At a meeting in June it 
referred the matter of the City Guard, 
the Progressive Union and the Boy 
Scouts to a sub-committee which has 
been actively at work. The Progressive 
Union and the City Guard have com- 
bined. At the meeting on June 29, 
Mrs. Charles R. Israels, chairman of the 
Committee on Amusements and Vaca- 
tion Resources of Working Girls in New 
York, addressed the conference on the 
subject of Recreation for Older Boys and 
Girls. On May 5 General George W. 
Wingate, president of the Public School 
Athletic League of New York, was en- 
tertained by the conference at dinner at 
the City Club and gave an interesting 
account of the work of that organiza- 
tion. At this meeting a resolution was 
adopted looking toward the incorpora- 
tion in the public school system of 
Boston of some general scheme of ath- 
letics which would reach practically all 
pupils. The Executive Committee has 
taken steps toward the formation of an 
athletic committee to handle this sub- 
ject. On the request of a committee rep- 
resenting the Home and School Associa- 
tion, the Civic Service House, and the 
Juvenile Court, this conference is gath- 
ering data relative to the need for a 
curfew law applicable to the business 
section of Boston. This is an interesting 
illustration of the possibilities for use- 
fulness of our Conferences, in the co- 
operative gathering of information. 

Industrial Condition Conference 

When such a machine as the Boston- 
1915 organization is set working it is 
to be expected that modifications will 
be found necessary. Thus far but one 
important change has taken place, in 
connection with the Business, Co-opera- 



NEW BOSTON 



tive and Labor Conferences. The Labor 
Conference by its very organization, as 
already explained, does not in fact exist. 
Directors are elected by the Central 
Labor Union, the Knights of Labor, and 
the Railroad Brotherhoods. The Co- 
operative Conference, made up as it is 
of such diverse organizations as fraternal 
insurance orders, mutual benefit socie- 
ties, co-operative banks, co-operative 
stores, the Savings Insurance League, 
and the Consumers' League, has not 
found a common ground upon which 
successful meetings may be based. The 
business Conference finds that its work 
is so nearly covered by the Chamber of 
Commerce that it has not been possible 
to arouse great interest. Nevertheless, 
there are many questions concerning in- 
dustrial conditions in which Boston-1915 
and all its affiliated organizations are 
vitally interested and there should be 
some means by which these questions 
may be handled. I have, therefore, 
organized an Industrial Conditions Con- 
ference, which is made up of the direc- 
tors and executive committees, where 
the latter exist, or the business, co-opera- 
tive and labor groups 

These joint committees include the 
Committees on the Construction and Lo- 
cation of School houses, the Saner Fourth, 
the Education of Immigrant Children, 
the Powers of the Boston Art Commis- 
sion, the Delays in Court Procedure, and 
Workmen's Compensation Act. 

Construction of Schoolhouses 

This committee is organized with 
J. Randolph Coolidge, Jr., as chairman, 
and has had several meetings. It has 
formulated definitely the suggestions 
for possible uses of schoolhouses and has 
appointed a sub-committee to work on 
the subject of location and to investi- 
gate the uses to which schoolhouses have 
already been put. It is keeping track of 
proposals for new buildings, and pro- 
poses to keep in touch with the School- 
house Commission and make recommen- 
dations in regard to their construction 
with reference to their more extended 
use as social and civic centers. 

Powers of the Art Commission 

This committee, with Frank Chouteau 
Brown as chairman, is drafting a bill 



amending the present statute in such a 
way as to put public buildings under 
jurisdiction of the Boston Art Com- 
mission and in other respects enlarge 
its powers. 

Education of Immigrants 

The Committee on the Education of 
Immigrant Children has submitted a 
report of the present facts, which has 
been adopted by the Directors, has taken 
the matter up with the School Com- 
mittee and is soon to call a Conference 
of the teachers who deal with the immi- 
grant children. 

The Committees on Delays in Court 
Procedure, and on Workmen's Compen- 
sation are awaiting the action of State 
Commissions on those subjects. 

Saner Fourth 

The work of the Saner Fourth Com- 
mittee is so well known to you that I 
will not dwell upon it. It is soon to meet 
to discuss its experiences of this year 
and to make recommendations in regard 
to next year's celebration. Both the 
Saner Fourth and the Boys' Games 
Committees have been deeply indebted 
to the administration of the city of 
Boston for the most cordial and helpful 
co-operation in their work. 



The nature of our work is such that 
sooner or later it is bound to require 
the co-operation of all the organizations 
in Greater Boston. During the past few 
months I have been listing and classify- 
ing these organizations and getting de- 
tailed information in regard to their 
officers and purposes. What form of 
organization is necessary in order to 
make co-operation most effective is not 
yet entirely clear. There are several 
possibilities, and suggestions will be 
gratefully received. 

The supplying of volunteer workers 
to the organizations which can use them 
is recognized as one of the finest of our 
opportunities. A beginning has been 
made in this direction and there are 
now on our list about fifty volunteers, 
who have been placed at the disposal 
of thirty-three organizations. Many of 
them are now at work, and to all accounts 
satisfactorily. 




THE NEW CAMBRIDGE BRIDGE 

Constructed through the co-operative effort of Municipalities and the Elevated Railroad 

< RAPID TRANSIT AND CIVIC BEAUTY 

FREDERICK W. COBURN 



The improved appearance of recently 
built rapid transit terminals, subways, 
car carrying bridges and power houses 
in Boston is, fortunately, part of a 
general movement among progressive 
public-service corporations to avoid 
doing things offensive to good taste and 
to combine, where possible, the utili- 
tarian and the esthetic. Several great 
transportation companies are making 
notable efforts to remove the reproach 
that, while public-service enterprises 
abroad assist, those in this country too 
often oppose civic betterment. Some 
of the examples of the more intelligent 
attitude have already become classic. 
The pioneer system of beautified railroad 
stations adopted by the Boston and 
Albany Railroad a generation ago still 
stands as a model. Along the lines of 
the Pennsylvania and other railroads 
the work of competent architects and 
landscape architects makes the journey 
more agreeable. In general a disposi- 
tion to make of every engineering pro- 
ject an architectural proposition is ap- 
pearing among transportation managers. 
The principle is, of course commendable, 
even if the ulterior motives grow only 
out of enlightened selfishness. That 
public ugliness is a communal liability 
was shown when a well-to-do woman 



went down to a suburb the other day, 
practically selected a house for which 
she would have paid $25,000, and then, 
upon looking over the railroad station, 
rescinded her order. "I'll not ask my 
friends to get off at this station," was her 
explanation to the real estate agent. 

Without regard to any other relation- 
ships between the public and the public- 
service companies it very directly con- 
cerns the people of greater Boston — and 
those particularly who understand to 
what an extent repulsive surroundings 
help to produce repellent men and 
women — that not only is the present 
attitude of the management of the street 
railway company which controls nearly 
five hundred miles in the metropolitan 
district distinctly favorable to civic art, 
but that the company and the Boston 
Society of Architects are working har- 
moniously together to make Boston a 
better-looking place in 1915 and the 
years following. 

All which should be noted without 
excessive laudation or adulation. It is 
obvious that not everything seen in the 
Boston street car system would be pre- 
cisely useful to illustrate an article on 
the city beautiful. Inheritances from 
older conditions are not to be swept 
away all at once — not certainly at a 



308 



NEW BOSTON 




VIADUCT AND FOREST^ HILLS;:STATION 

Showing care taken not to injure an important parkway which could not appropriately be crossed with 

ordinary elevated construction. 



time when many of the thousands of 
stockholders are wondering how with 
its enormous obUgations the Elevated 
Company is going to continue to pay a 
reasonable dividend. Present-day con- 
struction, too, is liable to prove to have 
defects when subjected to critical ap- 
praisal. Even distinguished architects, 
called into consultation, may make mis- 
takes. Again the nature of the rapid 
transit services, the kind of materials 
thereby enforced, the ever present con- 
siderations of expense, particularly ap- 
parent in a period of advancing prices 
and nearly stationary receipts — these 
factors must prevent the constructive 
problem from working itself out to per- 
fection. From comparison, however, of 
the elevated stations in Boston with 
those built in New York city a genera- 
tion ago, or of^the'stations of the Wash- 
ington Street tunnel, separated from 



those of the Tremont Street subway by 
only a little more than ten years, some 
realization is reached of the advance 
that is making. For this progress in the 
direction of the standards set in Euro- 
pean municipalities credit belongs to 
many agencies among whom not the 
least prominent is the management of 
the traction company which has had the 
foresight and public spirit to enlist the 
services of skilled architects in works 
that have a monumental as well as 
practical character. Similar credit be- 
longs to the Transit Commission, which 
has been directly responsible for the 
building of subways and tunnels in the 
city of Boston. With car lines under 
ground, above ground, and radiating on 
the surface in every direction, it is evi- 
dent that the transit system can do 
much either to make or to mar the city. 
The record up to this time fortunately 



RAPID TRANSIT AND CIVIC BEAUTY 



309 



appears to have been one of consistent 
endeavor to repair old mistakes as rapidly 
as financial conditions would admit and 
to shun the preventable ugliness which 
is inexcusable sin. 

The kind of architecture which has 
been provided at the elevated and sub- 
way stations, the shelters, bridges, via- 
ducts and other structures necessitated 
by the task of carrying nearly 300,000,000 
passengers a year, accords with the style 
of the greater city which is now over- 
growing the little old Boston of the 
middle nineteenth century. It is formal, 
symmetrical, solid, dependent for its 
effectiveness rather upon good propor- 
tions, good materials and impressive 
mass than on charm and variety of de- 
tail. It is in the manner that is coming 
to prevail in most of the large American 
cities — one that is consistent with that 
of such local structures as the Harvard 
Medical School, the new Museum of 
Fine Arts, many of the more recent 
office buildings, most of the residences 
which have lately been built along Com- 
monwealth avenue and Bay State road. 
It recognizes that the day of the Vic- 
torian^Gothic and the Richardson Roman- 
esque will not return. It accepts the 



media of expression which commercial 
enterprise imposes on the architects* of 
this generation, who found the town^of 
brick; who will leave it of re-enforced 
concrete, Indiana limestone, white terra 
cotta and Vermont marble. 

As regards rapid transit develop- 
ments, a definite policy of avoiding the 
errors which engineers without the co- 
operation of architects sometimes make, 
was adopted in the last years of the nine- 
teenth century when the newly organized 
Boston Elevated Railway Company was 
called upon to offer its plans for an ele- 
vated structure. Types of elevated sta- 
tions and inter-station construction had 
already been developed in New York 
and elsewhere. These conceivably might 
have been copied without much thought 
of anything but carrying the trains safely 
and loading and unloading expeditiously. 
It seems, however, to have been realized 
that Boston is a community in which a 
considerable number of persons stand 
ready to protest against work that is 
unnecessarily ugly. There was a lesson 
in the disillusionment that followed the 
opening of the Suffolk County Court- 
house. 

A prize competition, accordingly, was 




FOREST HILLS STATION 



310 



NEW BOSTON 



instituted by the Boston Elevated Rail- 
way Company for the best design of a 
typical elevated railway station, one 
which could be reproduced with varia- 
tions necessitated by the topography 
wherever it was desired to build a sta- 
tion. The prize was made large enough 
to attract leading architects. In order 
that the competition might be fair and 
free from charges of favoritism toward 
any one of the professional cliques in 
Boston, a jury of awards was chosen 
from the Architectural League of New 
York. 

This committee passed upon the de- 
signs submitted and selected for the prize 
one by A. W. Longfellow, which was 
subsequently embodied at City Square, 
Charlestown. It has definitely fixed the 
type, to which other stations conform 
according to circumstances. It is an 
effective type, whether viewed from 
near at hand or at the end of a vista. 
The limitations inherent in the material 
are evident, of course. Steel construc- 
tion lacks the charm of hand hewn 
masonry. A certain mechanical rigidity 
must mark it and must condition the 
superimposed materials. Good design, 
however, simplicity and good taste may 
be abundantly exemplified in it. These 
are respects in which the stations at 
City Square, Thompson Square, State 
Street, Northampton and elsewhere are 
certainly creditable. The elevated struc- 
ture between stations has likewise re- 
ceived consideration from architects as 
well as engineers. It is not, of course, 
susceptible of just such treatment as 
would be given to columns separating 
nave and aisle in a Gothic church. 
Structure and functions are such that it 
would be impossible to contract with 
members of the Society of Arts and 
Crafts for the iron work. Yet again, 
accepting the necessities of the situation, 
these steel uprights and horizontal girders 
show at least an attempt at agreeable 
spacing, a freedom from meretricious 
ornamentation. 

Co-operation between the Transit Com- 
mission and the Elevated Company has 
developed in Boston underground stations 
which should be educational in a com- 
munity where the gospel of good taste 
and right living in this world has been 
very often subordinated to the gospel 



of preparation for the next world. Par- 
ticularly of the stations of the new 
Washington Street tunnel is such a 
generalization true. Although the tunnel 
was built primarily to increase the carry- 
ing capacity of the north and south 
elevated services, the series of stations 
provided in this subterranean thorough- 
fare afforded an opportunity for well- 
considered decorative and even pic- 
turesque effect which was not lost. When 
finally the tunnel was thrown open in 
December, 1908, the crowd streaming 
into it found that each station was 
finished with tasteful tile work, mosaics 
and sheathed copper. The hole in the 
ground which might have seemed a 
dismal catacomb gave an impression of 
large and gaily illumined spaciousness. 
Of offensive decoration there was none. 
The lettering of the signs was excellent. 
The difficult problem of the billboards, 
concerning which many people feared a 
fiasco like that of the hideously papered 
London tubes, had been satisfactorily 
attached by using placards of a uniform 
size, well spaced and calculated, when 
filled with agreeable colored posters, to 
make pleasing spots on the wall. 

Such object lessons in the decencies 
of appearance, daily reaching hundreds 
of thousands of people, are worthy of 
comparison with the influence of art 
museums and art exhibitions. They are 
lessons, furthermore, which will be re- 
peated. One need only bring to mind 
the successive underground stations of 
the community, beginning with those of 
the Tremont Street subway, which natur- 
ally show some blunders, continuing with 
the stations of the East Boston tunnel, 
superior in many respects, and con- 
cluding with the stations of the Wash- 
ington Street tunnel to appreciate that 
a standard has been established from 
which recession is unlikely. The Cam- 
bridge subway, for instance, which will 
be opened in about a year, will have 
stations that are likely to surpass any- 
thing heretofore seen. 

While the underground stations in 
Boston have shown improvement, skill 
and experience are producing better and 
better examples of elevated construc- 
tion. Dudley Street station, as lately 
renovated, is not only a more convenient 
but a better-looking structure than in 



RAPID TRANSIT AND CIVIC BEAUTY 



311 



its original form. On half an acre in 
Roxbury one of the world's greatest 
stations in point of traffic handled has 
been created. While, on account of the 
crowded surroundings, its visual detach- 
ment is not so good as that of the other 
elevated stations of the system, it is 
distinguished by architectural orderli- 
ness and excellence of construction. 
The rebuilding of Sullivan Square termi- 
nal, soon to take place, will give an op- 
portunity to correct not only operating 
defects]^ which^have^been^apparent^^from 



spirited organization, the Metropolitan 
Improvement League, of which Sylvester 
Baxter is secretary, co-operated with 
the Elevated Company in securing the 
expert advice which was followed in the 
designing of this important structural 
work. When the extension of the ele- 
vated to Forest Hills was about to be 
undertaken General Bancroft, president 
of the company, who is also a member 
of the league, received detailed sugges- 
tions from a number of people interested 
in civic art, and thereafter appointed 




ATLANTIC AVENUE STATION 



the first but certain infelicities of appear- 
ance. 

ElThe Forest Hills terminal is, of course, 
the chef d'oeuvre of rapid transit develop- 
ment in Boston down to this time. It 
has been called "the most beautiful 
street railway station in the w^orld." 
Whether or not the superlative is abso- 
lutely justified, the excellences are due 
to intention and not to accident. Every 
appreciative visitor at Forest Hills is 
impressed by the effectiveness of great 
concrete piers and the spaciousness of 
the head house interiors. That public- 



committees of members of the Boston 
Society of Architects to whose counsel, 
as well as to the professional skill of 
Edmund M. Wheelwright, is due the 
handsomely designed viaduct that carries 
the elevated trains across the arborway. 
Another improvement which indicates 
how rapidly Boston is advancing es- 
thetically is in the subway entrances. 
When the Tremont Street subway was 
built a mausoleum type of entrance was 
adopted — one that was detached from a 
larger scheme of adornment of the 
Tremont Street mall and which is hence 



sn 



NEW BOSTON 




FOREST HILLS STATION 



clumsy in appearance. In its mutilated 
state it naturally gave rise to the familiar 
witticism ascribed to "Sandy" Brown 
about the Public Library's having littered 
on the Common. A similar mistake was 
made when two considerable structures, 
inharmonious with each other, the 
larger one looking like an enlarged soda 
fountain, and the other like a Greek 
Temple, were admitted to Scollay Square. 
It needed some time to show the com- 
munity that these pretentiously monu- 
mental openings are unnecessary and 
are in bad taste. The Boston Transit 
Commission has fortunately of late fol- 
lowed the examples of the subway 
builders in Paris and New York, where 
the entrances and exits of the stations 
are marked by inoffensive canopies or 
Kiosks. The openings leading to the 
Washington Street tunnel are distinctly 
superior to the older ones. An important 
innovation at the terminal of the Cam- 
bridge subway near Harvard Square will 
be the erection of a handsome apartment 
house, the largest in Greater Boston, 
over the space thus used. Of the struc- 
ture the openings will, architecturally, 
be an organic part. It has been pro- 



posed in some similar way to utilize the 
spaces over the Pleasant Street entrance 
to the Tremont Street subway and near 
the North Station. 

Unsightly bridges for several genera- 
tions have been a characteristic of 
Boston — long, straggling pile bridges, 
shabby in appearance and built without 
regard for any discoverable principle of 
design. There are several of them left, 
as between Charlestown and Chelsea 
and over the Charles at the Harvard 
Stadium. 

The building, under the initiative of 
the Boston Transit Commission, of the 
Charlestown bridge, which carries the 
elevated across the river, was a start in 
a right direction. This bridge in many 
respects invites criticism, but estheti- 
cally it at least is respectable, even as 
judged by European canons. 

About the time the Charlestown bridge 
was building came the project for a new 
bridge to supplant the ugly old West 
Boston bridge. Distinguished architects 
went to Europe where lessons are to be 
learned not only from old bridges but 
from admirable structures of the last 
few years. As a result there stands the 



RAPID TRANSIT AND CIVIC BEAUTY 



3ia 



monumental Cambridge bridge with its 
four central towers and its imposing 
pylons. This bridge, which will presently 
become one of the greatest avenues of 
rapid transit, would not have been built 
on its present scale except for the con- 
tribution of the Boston Elevated Com- 
pany which agreed to pay the difference 
in cost between a bridge with provision 
for carrying its elevated trains over 
central trestle work and the cost of a 
bridge on which the ordinary car tracks 
would have been laid. 

Even more impressive evidence of the 
close connection between the expansion 
of rapid transit facilities and the artistic 
betterment of the city is seen in the 
long Charles River viaduct with eleven 
arches of reinforced concrete which is 
now erecting below the dam that holds 
back the waters of the basin. This 
structure, rising about thirty-seven feet 
above the surface of the river, will put 
the final touch upon the architectural 
adornment of the most picturesque body 
of water yet included within the park 
area of a large city. According to the 
plans it will be simple and dignified, 
finished with a rough surface and de- 
pending for charm upon its structural 
grace rather than on any special orna- 



mentation. Here, once more, the usual 
qualifications should be made as a counter 
check to excessive enthusiasm. This 
great viaduct will be formal, precise, 
geometrical; but when you compare it 
with the tame ineffectiveness of the 
Harvard bridge over the same basin you 
get an idea of what twenty years have 
brought forth in Boston. 

And with perhaps a little thankfulness 
it is realized that the street railway cor- 
poration has understood the desirability 
of calling architectural experts into con- 
sultation before projecting these big 
works which are installed in a year to 
last a century. For some time past the 
Boston Elevated Railway Company has 
had the services, as consulting architects, 
of Robert S. Peabody, sometime president 
of the American Institute of Architects, 
president of the Boston Society of Archi- 
tects, and now chairman of the Park 
Commission of the city of Boston. 
Much of the company's recent work has 
been designed or supervised in Mr. 
Peabody's ofiice. In order, furthermore, 
that each important design may be 
subject to further professional criticism, 
an advisory committee of the Boston 
Society of Architects expresses its opinion 
on the plans. 




CITY SQUARE STATION, CHARLESTOWN 
Constructed from prize winning design by A. W. Longfellow 



314 



NEW BOSTON 



This architectural supervision extends 
even to the minor constructions of the 
Elevated company, such as the shelters 
which have been built at some points 
where they were especially needed, and 
the new overhead construction which 
is everywhere simple and tasteful, but 
into which, at points where the sur- 
rounding architecture seems to demand it, 
a note of graceful ornamentation has 
been introduced. It also covers the de- 
signing of the company's power houses. 
A building of this purely utilitarian 
character could hardly be treated like 
a cathedral or a town hall, but it at least 
does not have to disfigure the landscape. 
A particularly interesting example of 
the harmonious treatment of the power 
house is seen in the one which the com- 
pany erected some time ago in Cam- 
bridge. This frankly tells what it is. 
There is not a lying passage in it. Yet 
as viewed from the Speedway across the 
river it composes remarkably well with 
the other Cambridge buildings. One 



whoTfeltTkeenly the truthfulness of the 
late Professor Norton's criticism of Har- 
vard architecture might even find a 
higher word of praise of the beautified 
power house. There is such a thing as 
a factory chimney which springs grace- 
fully and ends logically and not too 
abruptly. There are towers that ascend 
without impressing; spires that do not 
aspire. The power house on Atlantic 
avenue is likewise monumental in effect. 
It is helpful, now and then, to separate 
this esthetic contribution which rapid 
transit is making toward the municipal 
betterment from its other activities. 
Such confusion as is caused by con- 
structive work on new projects, the ir- 
ritations that are necessarily attendant 
on changes of travelling habits and on 
the inevitable crowding of the services 
at special times and places, are apt to 
interfere with a prevision of the Boston 
of the future which will not be the less 
attractive because its people have ade- 
quate convenience for getting about. 




CAMBRIDGE POWER HOUSE AND WELD BOAT CLUB 



BOSTON'S AMUSEMENT RESOURCES 

The South End 



ESTHER G. BARROWS 



Amusements in the South End, as 
elsewhere, are of a twofold character, 
active and passive. The passive amuse- 
ments participated in by every member 
of the family and by all nationalities 
are fairly adequately provided. The 
active and instructive forms of recrea- 
tion are much more limited, including 
among their devotees only the children 
and young men, with the exception of 
dancing, for which the young women are 
always ready. Of course the forms of 
amusement in any neighborhood are 
somewhat seasonal, and are varied by 
the day of the week on which they fall. 
Theaters in this part of the city are 
very largely patronized by the people 
of the locality, as one realizes when 
taking a car which passes through the 
South End to and from the other theaters. 
The crowd is little swelled or lessened 
until one reaches Hollis Street, when 
there is a marked difference and from 
that point in the theaters begin to affect 
the car-service. The inhabitants of the 
South End on the whole go very little 
outside of their own district for this 
form of amusement, with the exception 
of the young men w4io frequent the 
brightly lighted streets and theaters of 
the West End. 

Moving pictures draw great crow^ds, 
and the character of the audience de- 
pends somewhat upon the day and time 
of day. Early in the week there are 
fewer family groups, as the mothers are 
much fatigued by household labor. On 
the other hand money is more plentiful 
than it will be until Saturday and the 
children come in for their share of the 
family income, which is very frequently 
spent for this purpose. Thursdays and 
Fridays bring out the mothers and chil- 
dren with an occasional father, while 
Saturday finds the mother again occu- 
pied in the home and the audience is 
made up of children. Saturday evening 
sees quite another group, largely men. 
One theater alone where moving pictures 



are shown holds upward of 1,200 children 
and it is often full on a Saturday after- 
noon, the audience being practically all 
under eighteen years of age and the 
great majority less than fourteen. One 
theater combines vaudeville wdth moving 
pictures and has the objectionable ama- 
teur night. This not only attracts the 
small boy who is trying to be "smart," 
but the family and friends of those who 
at some unfortunate moment have suc- 
cessfully participated in what is going 
on behind the footlights. There is 
only one theater left in this district used 
for drama, and the lurid posters on the 
outside of the building often hold large 
groups of spectators too young or too 
impecunious to enter. 

There is little music in the South End 
save what is offered by the settlement 
houses. The regular Sunday concerts 
at Parker Memorial were most successful 
last winter, and a series of concerts 
given in the Franklin Institute under 
the auspices of the Women's Municipal 
League were well attended. The Sal- 
vation Army band on its nightly rounds 
collects quite a following of children, 
and the few municipal band concerts 
provided for this district during the 
summer are always well patronized. 

Practically the only form of active 
amusement which the winter affords is 
dancing, unless the gymnasium may be 
included. The public dance-halls in 
the South End are fewer and on the 
whole less objectionable than in former 
years, and perfectly self-respecting young 
men and women resort to them as the 
only common meeting ground for a 
pleasant evening. Many halls are rented 
by clubs and benefit organizations for 
an evening and it is not uncommon for 
two or three or even a larger group of 
young people to "run a dance." They 
urge all of their young friends to buy 
tickets and then divide the proceeds or 
indebtedness, whichever may be their 
lot. 



316 



NEW BOSTON 



A part of the Randolph Street play- 
ground is flooded during the winter for 
skating. This offers excellent exercise 
and would be quite ideal if the play- 
ground were properly lighted, but, since 
this is not the case, much goes on there 
which could be avoided. Randolph Street 
playground suffers from the fact that 
there is very little public opinion to 
keep it up to the mark. It is practically 
surrounded by factories and there is 
little or no passing after six o'clock when 
these close. 

The summer presents quite a different 
problem to those interested in the play- 
time of the South Enders. Some of the 
theaters are closed for periods of one 
or two months. The moving-picture 
shows, however, are practically all-year- 
round affairs. The young men are very 
much absorbed in baseball as soon as 
the season opens and the diamonds on 
the playgrounds of the city are seldom 
if ever unused in the day time. 

One summer one of the settlement 
houses paid a Harvard senior for two 
weeks to investigate the possibilities for 
ball games for the boys from twelve to 
sixteen in the neighborhood and he found 
that although it was possible often to 
begin a game, when the older boys and 
men came on the diamond the younger 
ones were driven off to get into mischief 
on the streets, where, for the want of 
something better to do, they stole from 
the delivery wagons, and the small 
shop-keeper of the neighborhood; and 
when all that failed, they broke windows 
as a last resort. This year there has been 
one diamond reserved at Randolph Street 
for the boys, and a number of teams were 
formed and some good games played. 
The professional ball games take a great 
many of the men and older boys during 
the season and all of the small boys con- 
sider it a great privilege to walk over to 
Huntington Avenue to get even a peep 
at the game. They soon learn to bet 
on the winning team and there is much 
demoralization among the boys at this 
season because of this form of gambling. 
A youth of sixteen who had never before 
been dishonest, became so excited on 
losing $10 one afternoon that he rushed 
home, took his father's watch from his 
coat pocket where it was hanging in 
the closet, pawned it, and in half an 



hour had joined the group of boys and 
was trying his luck once more. 

For the older girls and young women 
of the neighborhood there is very little 
entertainment in the summer. The 
beaches prove a great attraction in the 
evening, where, of course, they naturally 
gravitate to the dance-halls. These vary 
decidedly in their respectability, and they 
are run somewhat less formally than those 
in town. The girls are very fond of 
"doing the side-shows" and often spend 
in one night what it has taken them a 
whole week to earn, but in their minds 
this is a perfectly simple equation. For 
the girls of grammar school age there is 
little or no provision in the neighborhood, 
save one afternoon of folk-dancing at 
Randolph Street each week. A real 
need as well as a safeguard for our 
young women would be a municipal 
dance-hall, preferably run in a pavilion 
in connection with the playgrounds, 
where the young people might dance 
out-of-doors under careful supervision 
and not have the perilous journey back 
to town after eleven o'clock, which is 
inevitable when they go to the beaches. 
The playgrounds afford them some 
exercise and the public baths are the 
delight of all the children, both boys and 
girls, who are fortunate enough to live 
near Dover Street, or have sturdy enough 
legs to carry them to City Point. The 
playgrounds have proved absolutely in- 
adequate, as they are now run, for the 
boys and girls about twelve years of age. 
The question of what the girls would 
like to do is still somewhat unsolved: 
the boys want baseball and plenty of it. 

Summer outings are provided by tho 
churches and settlements, newspapers, 
and private individuals, and an often 
forgotten asset is the country relative; 
though indeed the latter is sometimes a 
very cpiestionable luxury, as one little 
boy testified. He returned from a week 
with his aunt, saying that as she did not 
have enough for all of them to eat she 
thought he had better "go back home." 
When being asked if he did not like 
having all-out-doors to play in, he re- 
plied, "I liked it out there, but my 
stomach didn't." The in-town play- 
grounds perhaps do not induce such 
vigorous appetites but they are much 
nearer a more reliable source of supply. 



BOSTON'S AMUSEMENT RESOURCES 



317 



Three of the settlements in the South 
End provide summer schools where it 
depends upon the child's point of view 
whether he is amused or not. The Wait 
School draws children from a wide area 
and fills a real need. The work shown 
there this summer was interesting and 
of a high standard. The settlement 
houses make a specialty of organized 
picnics. Many of them have car tickets 
which they can distribute for family use 
and the Wells Memorial this year ar- 
ranged with its members for harbor 
trips at reduced rates. Two settlements 
in the district have at different times 
offered a prize to the child who could 
plan the best picnic for herself and family 
at a minimum cost, the prize taking the 
form of the money needed to carry out 
the plan. 

A number of vacation houses are run 
by the settlements and others inter- 
ested, to which the people go in large 
numbers. An investigation this summer 
of one section of the South End showed 
that the people very generally have the 
idea of the summer change in mind, not 
only for the children but often for every 
member of the family. Their ideas of 
what constitutes a holiday are most 
varied, but there seems to be a real 
underlying feeling for the necessity of 
some break between spring and fall 
work. 

This past summer a car going directly 
through the South End to Franklin 
Park brought that resource much nearer, 
and a car runs every ten minutes direct 
to City Point. 

Immediately on entering the district 
one sees the need of shade trees. From 
Canton street south they are fairly ade- 
quately provided, but from that north 
there are practically none, and Harrison 
avenue, crowded and used as a play- 
ground by the children, longs to ex- 
change its hot and dusty street for the 



shady, deserted walk on Commonwealth 
Avenue. About four years ago some of 
the people interested in the district, 
south of Union Park Street, succeeded 
in getting permission from the city to 
open a playground on the northern 
triangle of Franklin Square, This was 
equipped with swings and sand-boxes, 
and supervised by a person provided 
by private subscription. It was con- 
tinued in this way for two seasons when 
the School Board took it over to run as 
a school playground, in place of one 
which would have naturally been in 
Joshua Bates Schoolyard had that not 
been filled with portable buildings. For 
the past two years the abutters in the 
houses on James Street have complained 
of having a playground there and this 
summer it was moved to the Washing- 
ton Street side of the square. Although 
it had but half as much space as in 
previous years, the attendance was 
greater, averaging 110 children daily. 
Both Franklin Square and Blackstone 
Square have seats which are somewhat 
patronized by mothers with small babies, 
but many of the women find it impos- 
sible to use these shady, pleasant parks 
for the purpose for which they were 
intended as they are crowded out by 
the men who may be seen there winter 
and summer in large numbers. On 
some of the squares the parks are fenced 
in and locked so that they may not be 
of general use. This is unfortunate, for 
it is a district ill provided with play- 
grounds, although there are many avail- 
able lots which might be opened with 
very little expense to the city. There 
is also a wonderful opportunity for the 
South Enders in the jjossibility of re- 
claiming the land along the South Bay 
and making a boulevard as was done 
along the South Boston shore be- 
tween Edward Everett Square and City 
Point. 




SOUTH END AMUSEMENTS 

Bounded by Boylston and Essex, Berkeley, Dover and the Bay 

JANE R. McCRADY 



In the district of Boston known as the 
South Cove, and the northern part of 
the South End which adjoins it, are 
eighteen theaters and moving picture 
shows, one city gymnasium and four 
belonging to private agencies, four neigh- 
borhood houses, two children's clubs, 
several missions with clubs and classes, 
one public library station, one public 
bath, and numerous dance halls and 
pool rooms, 

A casual observer, going through this 
list, and realizing that the district named 
is hardly a mile square (if it were square 
at all), might feel that here at least is 
a section of the city adequately supplied 
with opportunities for amusement close at 
hand, and yet the parents, clergy, 
teachers and social workers in this 
region regard the problem of providing 
"healthful" amusement for the young 
people as one of the most serious which 
they have to face. 

The residents of this district are, for 
the most part, working people with 
moderate or small incomes; rents and 
provisions are high, and the amount of 
money available for amusement is not 
enough, in most families, to admit of 
their taking the matter in hand and pro- 
viding the young people with adequate 
recreation; and as play and amusement 
are necessary factors in young life, they 
are forced into taking what is nearby. 
Under this head come the moving pic- 
ture shows and cheap theaters, not 
nearly as harmful in themselves as many 
suppose, but distinctly harmful, in many 
cases, from the constant temptation 
they hold out to waste money, and the 
demoralizing acquaintances that the 
children, particularly, are likely to meet 
in and around them. 

The gymnasiums are wholly good, the 
only objection to them being the fact 
that in a thickly populated neighborhood, 
as is the one referred to, they are far 
too few in number. Only a very small 



proportion of boys, and a much smaller 
proportion of girls, ever get a chance to 
enter them. Two of these gymnasiums 
belong to organizations which, though 
housed in this district, draw their mem- 
bership largely from outside, so they 
cannot strictly be counted as "oppor- 
tunities of this section" (Y. M. C. U. 
and News Boys' Club). The other two 
are used by special groups of boys and 
girls, only those belonging to certain 
neighborhood houses, therefore not many, 
are represented, comparatively speaking. 
The four neighborhood houses, roughly 
speaking, aggregate a total membership 
of twenty-five hundred. This includes 
kindergartens and mothers' clubs, and 
in a section where there are thousands 
of children and young working people, it 
is but a small per cent that have this 
opportunity. And what does member- 
ship in a neighborhood house mean in 
the way of recreation.'^ For the children 
who belong, it generally means one, or 
at most, two afternoons a week, after 
school, provided for, and the use of a 
lending library. For the working boys 
and girls, one evening a week, and in 
some houses, frequent small dances 
during the winter months. In two of 
the houses the working boys have the 
free use of a club room, more or less, 
every week-day evening, and tlie boys 
and girls join in dramatics, under good 
direction, which call some of them to- 
gether still oftener. One of the houses 
has facilities for small groups giving 
dinner or supper parties of special 
friends. All of these recreations are 
certainly "healthful" and good, but they 
are open to but few on account of limited 
space and time. 

The two children's clubs (Hawthorne 
and Louisa Alcott) , probably come nearer 
to offering adequate recreation to their 
members than any other, for the parents, 
with the directors, really plan all round 
lives for the children fortunate enough 



SOUTH END AMUSEMENTS 



319 



to "belong." These houses contain 
play space indoors (and one of them 
outdoors as well), and the membership 
is kept small enough to give every child 
a chance. 

The Broadway Public Library Sta- 
tion and Dover Street Bath are positive 
opportunities, and distinctly healthful; 
as with the gymnasiums, their capacity 
for service is far less than the neighbor- 
hood need, but one of the most pleasing 
sights in this part of the South End is 
the Broadway Library, after school on 
winter afternoons, and in the hot summer 
days the Dover Street Bath is the goal 
of numbers of the children. 

The dance halls of the vicinity are 
numerous and various. That the youth 
of this part of Boston have ample op- 
portunity to dance, no one can doubt. 
Daily, in the seasons from autumn to 
spring, numbers of posters are out calling 
the boys and girls to dances, and dance 
tickets, varying in price from fifteen to 
seventy-five cents, are to be had without 
searching. The price of tickets for well- 
conducted dances is from thirty-five to 
seventy-five cents for men, and from 
twenty-five to fifty for girls, except in 
the dances in the neighborhood houses, 
where the members fix a small price 
usually just to cover expenses. 

The poolrooms are numerous and vary 
in respectability from a few well-con- 
ducted good ones to the worst kept, 
most objectionable places to which a 
young boy could go. And young fellows 
are encouraged to spend much of their 
spare time when working, and more of 
it when "loafing," hanging around the 
poorest of the poolrooms. It is a safe 
statement, no doubt, that this provision 
for recreation, with which this section 
is generously provided, is only "health- 
ful" when used in great moderation. 

The playground opportunities, within 
the district, are. nil, but Randolph Street 
playground just outside on the south is 
largely used by children living in the 
streets, known as the "New York Streets," 
between Broadway Extension and Dover 
street. Hawthorne Club has a small 
playground for its own members and a 
few other children in the heart of the 
district, and the ball field on the Common 
and sand garden for children furnish a 
little play space at the northern end. 



The Common and Public Garden would 
be pleasant places to walk and sit on 
summer evenings and fine for skating 
in the winter if they could be policed 
sufficiently to protect young girls from 
insult, and if the gardens, particularly, 
could be properly lighted and the ice 
kept in good condition. To the question, 
"What do you do in the evening.^'" the 
girls answer, "Oh, nothing. We take a 
walk, then come home and sit on our 
steps, and sometimes go to the beach. 
There isn't anything to do." 

In summer the children's chief recrea- 
tion must, of necessity, be playing on 
the streets. All the parents who can, 
send their children away to relatives for 
short vacations. A number go through 
country week or the Traveler or their 
"clubs" or some other agency, but I 
believe that a good many more do not 
get away at all, than go. Then there are 
various day excursions through the 
churches and clubs within the neighbor- 
hood, and the Traveler and Randidge 
fund without, but with all of these taken 
into account, the fact still remains that 
most of the recreation of the children 
has to be taken on the streets and in 
the back yards. Boston is not a very 
hot city and the South End has rather 
wider streets than some other sections 
and rather more of back yards; there- 
fore if those streets and yards were 
cleanly, both physically and morally, 
the situation would not be bad, but with 
garbage, tin cans and paper strewn about 
the yards and alleys, and even in some 
streets, and vulgar postcards to attract 
the eye on all sides, and low talk and 
fighting on some of the streets, the 
opportunity for amusement is not healthy. 
The good, self-respecting people, who are 
still fortunately in the majority in this 
district, are seriously distressed at the 
atmosphere of the streets which must be 
the playground of the children in a 
crowded city. 

It is obvious, therefore, that this part 
of the South End is not lacking in j)laces 
of amusement. If the quality of the 
cheap theaters and moving pictures were 
better, we could have wonderful chances 
of recreation. Another gymnasium and 
larger public library station would help 
matters greatly. Taking away the li- 
censes from the bad dance halls, and 



320 



NEW BOSTON 



putting the good ones on a basis when 
the rental is not so high as to make such 
expensive tickets necessary, would help 
the young working girls and men. More 
money would help the neighborhood 
houses to extend their usefulness as 
places for small social gatherings, planned 
and run hy the neighborhood, not for 



them, and so lighting and guarding the 
public grounds and cleaning up the 
streets as to make them fit places for 
the best people to gather in commonly, 
would be practical means within our 
power of immediately providing a good 
deal of "healthful" recreation for this 
section. 




JUNIOR BASEBALL TEAM, WEST END 



WEST END AMUSEMENTS 



MRS. EVA WHITING WHITE 



Boston was the first American city to 
establish playgrounds and free gymnasia. 
It was also the first city to initiate the 
idea that each section of a municipality 
should have its public or "ward" build- 
ing. Instead, however, of developing 
this idea continuously the scheme has 
only been partially carried out. Other 
cities have far outdistanced us in the 
realization and proof of the value of 
inclusive plans for public recreation. 



Boston has tended to stop at the point 
of supplying the child and the child 
only with opportunities for play and of 
offering to adults driving or pleasure 
parks, rather than parks having features 
for active forms of recreation or amuse- 
ment. Such amusement features as are 
connected with our parks are usually 
run as private enterprises. Children's 
playgrounds have been granted a neces- 
sity and we are doing in several of our 



WEST END AMUSEMENTS 



321 




THE STREETS FOR PLAY 



playgrounds excellent work with children, 
but we are far behind in providing 
amusement facilities for older members 
of our community. It is most hopeful, 
however, that this subject of recreation 
in its broadest sense, recreation within 
the playground, recreation without the 
playground, recreation enjoyed at parks 
and public reservations and recreation 
allowed under private auspices is be- 
coming a subject for study and com- 
parison. What kinds of recreation is the 
city providing or allowing in its different 
districts ? 

The West End of Boston is most 
fortunate in having the West End Park, 
a narrow strip of land bordered on one 
side by the Charles River and on the 
other by one of the most thickly con- 
gested areas in the city. This park 
extends between two bridges, the West 
Boston bridge and the Craigie bridge. 
Its gravel walks connect directly with 
the granolithic walks of the esplanade. 
This gives a remarkable opportunity for 
promenading and, incidentally, most of 
the time, for roller skating for children 
under twelve. We can justly be proud 
of the splendid work which has been 
done on the Charles River Basin. The 
possibilities which this basin offers for 



large scale spectacles as shown the 
evening of the Fourth of July at the 
display of fireworks; for water sports in 
summer; for skating in winter and for 
a hundred and one other forms of amuse- 
ment where the attention of thousands 
can be held at one and the same time 
are immeasurable. As a certain young 
West End youth said to an emphatically 
affirmative nod from his mother, "M'm, 
this is a great place to live." 

The W^est End Park itself is truly 
beautiful. It is divided into the girls' 
playground, two grassy mounds well 
shaded by trees which give a pleasing 
landscape effect; and the boys' play- 
ground. Flanking the length of the 
park are settees. The spot for the park 
was well chosen and the layout well 
planned. 

The girls' playground, contrary to 
many playgrounds, is far from being a 
place of desolation. It is most attrac- 
tive and in many respects could stand 
as a model. It has its greensward sur- 
rounded by a thick growth of decorative 
bushes and its shelter. There mothers 
can spend the afternoon with their babes 
undisturbed by the romi)ing of the older 
children who are provided for in an ad- 
joining space which is equipped with 



NEW BOSTON 



teeters, giant strides, swings, sand-boxes 
and is under the supervision of the play- 
ground director and her assistant. In 
order to reach the playground one enters 
through the locker house which has a 
hall that serves as the indoor gymnasium, 
showers and lockers. This girls' play- 
ground is very well attended by the 
younger girls, but its use could be greatly 
increased if more girls between the ages 
of twelve and fourteen could be attracted. 
Basketball does this somewhat in winter. 
In this playground as elsewhere more 
definite experimental work ought to be 
done which would lead greater numbers 
of our girls over fourteen also to take 
more active forms of physical exercise. 

The boys' division is not as attractive 
as the girls' although it is neat and well 
cared for. The greatest defect is that 
the boys have no indoor gymnasium — 
merely a locker house. The running 
track is one of the best in the city. As 
regards apparatus — were more provided 
there would be danger of allowing too 
little space for free play. The two things 
needed to supplement this playground 
are first a gymnasium and second a 
baseball diamond for small boys. The 
older boys can go to the Common, but 
a chance to play the game nearer home 
would be a boon indeed for the younger 
ones. 

During the spring a vacant lot on the 
corner of Charles and Poplar streets 
would contain a hundred boys to the 
scattered few on the playground. Think 
of a district whose population is approxi- 
mately 32,812 to 166 acres offering abso- 
lutely no gymnasium facilities to young 
men except during the open months of 
the year — offering no opportunities for 
physical development, for proper relaxa- 
tion. For the past two years the West 
End Improvement Society has tried per- 
sistently to get a municipal gymnasium — 
not situated in the park, because, un- 
fortunately, the park cannot well be 
enlarged and every available space is 
now serving some definite purpose, but 
situated somewhere in a central location. 
For economy the rebuilding of the ward 
room on Blossom street has been advo- 
cated. If the West End cannot get this 
for itself it may be necessary to enlist 
the efforts of citizens in other sections. 
Meanwhile boys who might be playing 



basketball, enjoying a swimming pool, 
taking proper exercise, are loafing. 

Too much credit cannot be given the 
athletic committee of Boston-1915 for 
stirring up our neighborhoods and re- 
interesting them in playground sports. 
This work ought to be started very early 
the coming year and every means used 
to interest more and more boys and 
young men. Not only will the games 
give corner groups — if we must have 
them — something to think about, but 
hundreds from a neighborhood can be 
interested as spectators. Why not do 
something the same for girls? 

Up to a certain point the West End 
park provides for its district recreative 
opportunities but there is still a tre- 
mendous amount of study, planning, 
and executing necessary if we are to do 
all we can for the district. Considering 
the important bearing of recreation on 
life it would seem that the looking after 
the recreational instincts is quite as 
important as any matter of municipal 
concern. There is still need of means 
for reaching thousands of boys and girls 
who never go near the playgrounds and 
at most only for two or three hours a 
day; of providing places where young 
men and young women can meet freely 
in a social atmosphere and where mothers 
and fathers too can find an interest. At 
present the small children get their 
pleasure as they will; older brothers and 
sisters as they will; and mothers and 
fathers as they will. We have hardly 
conceived of family groups enjoying 
themselves as family groups. Over 
seventy-five per cent of our young peo])le 
leave home in the evening in search of 
relaxation in one form or another and, 
unfortunately, many parents are wholly 
ignorant of the kinds of amusement or 
the sorts of places to which their children 
go. Since the city stands in loco parentis 
to the city child, one of the first steps, 
it would seem, is to make sure that such 
places of amusement as are run under 
private auspices are in no sense degen- 
erating and then to provide in every 
possible way for the most wholesome 
forms of recreation. Why shouldn't the 
city that was the first to conceive of 
public buildings containing baths and 
assembly hall fall into line with the 
recreation center movement? Nothing 



WEST END AMUSEMENTS 



323 



would do more to solidify the varying 
elements in our different sections and to 
develop from our district loyalties the 
highest type of city loyalties. This 
leads of course to a consideration of the 
opening of the school hovises, of pro- 
viding within the schools— halls for large 
social gatherings, rooms for group and 
society meetings, reading rooms, and 
so on; in short of turning the school- 
houses, out of school hours, into peoples' 
club houses. Boston will come to this 
surely and when she does many of our 
problems will solve themselves. If Chi- 
cago, New York and Rochester stand 
firmly by the results of offering, as they 
have, opportunities for recreation on a 
large scale, providing places for dancing, 
moving picture shows, civic gatherings, 
why not Boston? 

Compare our public dance halls with 
old-fashioned dances where young and 
old joined in, and with European dancing 
on the green. Visit moving picture shows 
near Bowdoin Square. Neither the 
public dance hall nor the moving picture 
show may be deporably bad, but we 
can offer both under better conditions. 
Why commercialize the instinct for recrea- 
tion — the instinct which holds out the 
greatest opportunity for the highest 
development of the individual.'^ No 



educational system is complete which 
does not consider the educational value 
of the play instinct. We can't begin too 
young to cultivate the proper play 
spirit, and we can't be too ingenious in 
keeping alive the play spirit. Recreation 
is a very sure means of developing whole- 
some social relationships. 

The block bounded by Spring, Poplar, 
Brighton and Chambers streets certainly 
rivals any other block in the city for 
numbers of children — and the street is 
their playground. The worst of it is 
the law doesn't allow "games" in the 
street, so these children are our most 
persistent and innocent law breakers. 
Play they must, but instead of playing 
openly games which are worth while, 
the natural play instinct is perverted 
into dangerous channels. 

Therefore, the tone of much of our 
street life is not half so much the fault 
of our boys and girls as of inflexible laws. 
Last summer a playground director 
studied the games of the children of the 
block just mentioned. The report is 
illuminating and shows beyond a doubt 
that we must reach the children in the 
street, that the playground for the 
smaller children does not take the place 
of the street. The social as well as 
utilitarian function of the street is 




tS^iscTSKBLafHrnm^ 



WEST END PARK 



324 



NEW BOSTON 



clearly thought out. This trained play- 
ground director made it a point to be on 
the street from ten to twelve every 
morning and from two to five in the after- 
noon. She could do little toward or- 
ganizing street games since the law 
prohibited such a step. She did, how- 
ever, mingle freely with the street 
groups. She did get to know the children 
and through winning their confidence, she 
did get their point of view. The child's 
world must be taken into account. If 
an experiment of organized street games 
could be tried on one or two streets in 
different districts of our city, our theories 
about the bad effects of street life might 
be revolutionized. It is certainly worth 
trying. 

On a certain Sunday an account was 
kept of what children were doing. The 
following was the result: (territory, 
block above mentioned) 10-11 A. M., 
29 engaged in marbles; 11 hop-scotch; 
60 "Peggy"; 5 matching pictures; 2 
rolling hoop; 3 riding velocipedes; 5 
pounding iron rubbish can and picking 
over contents; 5 making mud-pies; 



24 tossing horse shoe; 19 craps; many 
other children sitting about or running 
back and forth. Several groups of 
young men, seventeen years old, standing 
at the several corners. These games with 
changing participants continued all day. 
In the evening the children kept on with 
their games near the arc lights and 
kept on running abovit and yelling in- 
terminably. This tabulation goes to 
show we can't solve the Sunday game 
problem by saying "No." 

To sum up : We need in the West End 
at least one neighborhood center pro- 
vided by the city. We need to reach 
young men and women — adults — as well 
as children. We want families as families 
to swing into the recreational scheme. 
We need to put ourselves in the place of 
the street child and to do what we can 
to make street play honest and to have 
it recognized as honest. We need to 
study Sunday recreation. The whole 
thing simmers down to asking ourselves 
whether there isn't a definite connection 
between wholesome recreation and richer 
community life. 



BOYLSTON STREET SUBWAY PLAN 

DANIEL A. GRIFFIN 

Secretary Boylston Street Merchants' Association 



Boston needs more subways. 

The question of safe, cheap, rapid and 
efficient transportation is a most im- 
portant problem, and the business man 
and real estate owner, no matter where 
located, whether his interests are im- 
mediately affected or not, will do well 
to consider it. At the present time this 
question is far from an effective solution 
in Boston. 

In 1908 the Boston Elevated carried, 
with 3,488 cars in service, 273,136,584 
passengers. In 1909, 281,800,474 pas- 
sengers were carried on 3,451 cars; 
more people on fewer cars compared 
with previous years. The figures for 
the present year are not available at 
the time of this writing, but so many 
things may be observed as showing the 



total inadequacy of the service, mainly 
in point of lack of growth to keep pace 
with the needs of the community, that 
we may safely assume that conditions 
have not materially improved since the 
last report. 

People from almost every suburban 
section, and the more intelligent are 
most in evidence, exclaim on every hand 
about the inefficiency of the service. 
The question at this time is not so much 
where to place the blame, but rather 
where to put the remedy. 

South Boston, Dorchester, Brookline 
and Charlestown are in the line asking 
for subway connections. 

We on Boylston street have simply 
come forward to point out that the whole 
section of the Metropolitan District to the 



BOYLSTON STREET SUBWAY PLAN 



3^5 




west of Boston, and even to the north 
and south, are affected adversely by what 
is now advanced by those having au- 
thority in these matters. In our plans 
w^e consider the needs of more than one 
half the whole population of this area. 

Congestion of traffic was first evident 
on Tremont street, near Park street, 
prior to 1897, when all the service was 
on the surface. The Tremont Street 
Subway was built to relieve this con- 
dition, and the immediate results ob- 
tained were satisfactory. At this time, 
when the cars on the surface were run 
to the number of 200 per hour, blockades 
resulted. When the subway was opened 
it handled nearly 300 cars, running 
smoothly on schedule time at an average 
speed of a bit less than eight miles per 
hour, reducing the time from ten to 
twenty minutes to about three or four 
minutes in the subway, besides wholly 
avoiding delays due to congestion. x\l- 
though these results were immediately 
obtained upon the first use of this subway, 
nevertheless this subway was admittedly 
an experiment and has never proved to 
be anything else from Scollay square to 
Park street to the south and west up 
Boylston to Church street. During the 
past ten years this section of our under- 
ground transportation service has borne 
the brunt of more criticism than practi- 
cally all the other lines of transporta- 
tion in and out of Boston. 



The worst thing about this subway 
is that Park'street has acquired import- 
ance as a terminal point, when as a 
station it serves a district of which it 
is not the center. The people in that 
section from State street south to Summer 
street and east from Tremont street, 
and who live at the west and south of 
Boston, are forced to use this station, 
when better facilities should be afforded 
them. 

When the Cambridge tube is placed 
in commission the congestion at this 
station will be almost unendurable, and 
indeed conditions are very nearly at 
that point today. People from the west 
and northwest of Boston, from Win- 
chester, Arlington, and other centers, 
who now, because of fast service, use 
the Sullivan Square route, will then, 
because of the more attractive environ- 
ment use the new route. Therefore, it 
must be evident that Park street will 
have to bear very much more than its 
normal share of traffic under the new 
conditions. 

The question is, where shall we look 
for a solution of the problem. 

Without doubt, the long way subway 
or tunnel idea supplies the needed solu- 
tion; the underground "tube" utilizing 
locations already established as avenues 
of approach from suburban communi- 
ties to the business center, and these 
tubes to supply the two very necessary 



NEW BOSTON 



features, express and accommodation 
service. Such is the suggestion ad- 
vanced by the Boylston Street Mer- 
chants' Association. It has the added 
advantage that it will further effect the 
opening up and extending of the retail 
business area of the city. 

Boylston street, because of its loca- 
tion and use as a main artery for present 
railway passenger traffic, its advan- 
tageous width, fine business structures, 
and interesting adjacent areas, is pe- 
culiarly adaptable for use as a first class 
retail shopping thoroughfare. 

Lines of cars from communities re- 
presenting a population of over two- 
thirds the total of the whole of Greater 
Boston now traverse the street. 

The street is of magnificent width, 
a straight way from Park square to 
Massachusetts avenue. The turns indi- 
cated in our route at the Boston and 
Albany railroad track and at Com- 
monwealth avenue are at very slight 
angles and the curves long; in fact 
from the engineer's point of view 
the route has every advantage to com- 
mend it. Not the least commendable 
factor in our plan is that it provides for 
conditions and requirements looking to 
the future, a feature, it would seem, sadly 
lacking in subway plans of the past. We 
consider our plan will do much for Boston 
and for Greater Boston. 

It will adequately accommodate subur- 
ban districts it is designed to serve, and 
it will relieve the congestion at Park 
Street station. It offers a reasonable 
solution for the problem of a connection 
with the South Station and from a 
point connecting the Tremont Street 
Subway and Washington Street Tunnel, 
where such a connection will best serve 
the general public. As proof of this fact, 
consider the needs of those patronizing 
the theaters. Practically all of these are 
within a very short radius of Boylston 
street and are nightly attended by 
certainly not less than 25,000 people. 
When you consider that from this point, 
Boylston street, it is almost impossible 
for people to get to the South Station 
other than on foot, you may at once 
realize the great lack of efficient accom- 
modation at this point. For several 
years requests have been made for ade- 
quate accommodation between these 



points, but no efficient connection has 
been obtained. And if the service is 
poor from this point at night, it is more 
so by day. When the Washington Street 
tunnel was built no arrangements were 
made for connections with the South 
Station. Today, as one consequence, a 
district of from ten to fifteen times the 
area occupied by our principal retail 
district has been made to suffer from a 
one way line of traffic which practically 
ends at a point that has nothing of in- 
terest to its business population. 

No less an authority than Mr. George 
A, Kimball has remarked favorably to 
my plan from an engineer's point of 
view. He certainly should be considered 
a competent critic. Another engineer 
has also said that our way of handling 
the grade crossings looked very good. 
In this latter matter I have had the ad- 
vice and assistance of Mr. C. H. Gannett, 
of Boston, himself an expert on subway 
construction and a competent civil en- 
gineer. 

In explanation of our plans, we have 
left the River Bank route out of the 
drawing. As ordered by the act of the 
Legislature it was located under the 
Park Street station under the Common 
to a point or points under the Charles 
River embankment and park, thence to 
Harvard Bridge to a point under Beacon 
street to Charlesgate East, at which 
latter point the western outlet has been 
finally located. 

No stations have been located, and 
probably none will be, at other points 
than at Charlesgate east. Park street 
and at the junction of Charles street and 
Chestnut street. 

The only possible utility the favorers 
of this subway can claim for it is that of 
express service, which is desirable, but 
it is doubtful if express service could be 
realized in any tube having an ending 
at one point and that point Park Street 
station, as the time gained in transit 
would certainly be lost in the congestion 
in the terminal. Its cost of construction 
was estimated at $3,700,000, though this 
has latterly been found to be much too 
low. The cost of subways, unfortunately, 
is not limited to the cost of their con- 
struction; the major expense in the cost 
of this subway would be in the damage 
costs to be assessed by property owners 



NEEDS OF THE SOUTH DEPARTMENT 



327 



on the city of Boston. Estimates on this 
item that I have received vary from 
$6,000,000'to $8,000,000. 

The fact that way stations were ob- 
jected to, and as the stations would 
have Httle utiHty, this item need not 
be considered at all; that the location 
in this residential section was extremely 
ill advised, that it has no value in the 
economy of business progress, and the 
fact that the operating company has no 
possible opportunity of realizing any 
income therefrom to offset the cost of 
rental, which latter affects the community 
to the extent that the operating company 
will find it inconvenient to furnish either 
as good or so much service, owing to the 
increased cost, as it might under more 
favorable conditions; all these, and 
many more beside are reasons why the 
Riverbank Subway should not be built. 

We suggest the extension of the present 
Tremont Street subway up Boylston 
street to accommodate four tracks, the 
two inner for express service and the 
two outer for local or accommodation 
service, to extend over a route as shown 
on the map to the junction of Common- 
wealth, Brookline and Brighton avenues. 
Up to the bridge on Boylston street over 
the Boston and Albany railroad we 
recommend a continuous platform ar- 
rangement, ten feet or more wide on 
both sides as having many advantages, 
among others that stations be located 
at new points on the street as future 
demands on the part of the public may 
require, at very small expense, and it 



is economical to build this subway in 
this manner now as it will have more 
utility in the future as the business area 
in Boston becomes more extended, and 
new stations may be located without 
obstructing traffic. 

Four stations are shown, at Massa- 
chusetts avenue, Copley square, Arling- 
ton street and Park square. To this 
latter point we suggest the bringing of 
the Cambridge line, there to turn on a 
loop and return at grade, the Tremont 
Street subway being widened by two 
tubes, one on each side, the building 
of which will not interfere with the con- 
tinuance of the traffic during construc- 
tion, to accommodate this improvement. 
We further suggest the extension of the 
Boylston Street subway under the present 
subway and tunnel under Tremont and 
Washington streets to the South Station 
under Essex street, which subway may 
later be extended to South Boston. The 
outer or accommodation tracks in the 
Boylston Street subway are the ones to 
be extended for this latter service. 

The low cost of this work over the 
greater part of this route is much in 
its favor. The route itself is very nearly 
straight; no sharp curves are met with 
and it fully takes care of every require- 
ment that may arise in the district 
served for years to come. 

I take considerable pride in the fact 
that the plan has met with the favor of 
all to whom it has been shown, and I 
believe that it contains in a large measure 
the solution of the rapid transit problem. 



NEEDS OF THE SOUTH DEPARTMENT 



DR. RICHARD C. CABOT 



The Syllabus on Boston's Health 
Needs, prepared by the Health Con- 
ference of Boston-1915, states under the 
heading, "Contagious Diseases," that 
"hospital accommodations are insuffi- 
cient." This is true. The facts enumer- 
ated in the following article were gath- 
ered from a patient at the South Depart- 



ment of the Boston City Hospital, where 
diphtheria, measles and scarlet fever 
patients are cared for. The patient 
referred to was quarantined in the South 
Department during the scarlet fever 
epidemic of last spring, when conditions 
were not normal. This epidemic gave 
particular force, however, to the demands 



S28 



NEW BOSTON 



of the City Hospital for adequate ad- 
ditional facilities for the South De- 
partment. 

The efficiency and uniform courtesy 
of the hospital authorities — physicians 
and nurses — cannot be questioned. In 
spite of the fact that during the recent 
epidemic every branch of the hospital 
was working under more than a double 
load, the patients received every atten- 
tion that was possible under existing 
conditions. In no sense are any criti- 
cisms that will folloiv aimed at any of the 
executive or administrative authorities, who 
worked under conditions that handi- 
capped them at every turn — conditions 
that exist because through insufficient 
appropriations better methods cannot be 
adopted. Proper appropriations have 
been repeatedly asked for, but refused. 

The object of a hospital is to cure sick 
people, not to expose them to the danger 
of further infection. Yet whenever we 
have such crowding as there was at the 
time of the epidemic of last spring, every 
scarlet fever patient is in danger of con- 
tracting diphtheria or measles, because 
there are no adequate means for proper 
isolation. Diphtheria antitoxin was 
given to every scarlet fever patient as 
soon as possible after his admission. 
When symptoms of diphtheria are noted 
the patient cannot always be separated 
from the other uninfected persons in 
the ward, owing to lack of accommoda- 
tions. A card is placed on the door of 
that particular room indicating a so- 
called "closed room." Nurses wear 
extra gowns over their regular uniforms 
while attending to patients in "closed 
rooms." 

Last spring there was one room de- 
voted entirely to cross infection cases — 
that is to say, cases which showed symp- 
toms of diphtheria and scarlet fever. 
The patients in this room were mostly 
children, one of whom, a boy of twelve 
years, had been confined seven or eight 
weeks over the usual period of deten- 
tion required for scarlet fever because 
he showed some symptoms of diphtheria. 
In one room a boy developed mumps 
and for several days the other occupants 
of this room suffering from scarlet fever 
were obliged to stay in the "closed 
room" exposed to the danger of catching 
mumps. 



The staff of physicians was not large 
enough to meet the needs of the situation, 
and cross infection was made doubly 
possible because physicians in charge of 
the diphtheria or measles buildings of 
the department were frequently obliged 
to visit the scarlet fever wards. There 
is no provision for separate dining rooms 
for nurses caring for the different classes 
of patients, nor do nurses change their 
uniforms before mingling in the common 
dining room. 

Further danger of cross infection is 
present through a lack of sufficient 
number of orderlies, with a result that 
one orderly may carry a baby from the 
ambulance to the scarlet fever ward 
and half an hour later, without changing 
his clothes, bring in another child to 
the diphtheria ward. 

The ever-present danger of cross in- 
fection is again emphasized when a 
patient's seven weeks' quarantine for 
scarlet fever has been served. Before 
any scarlet fever patient is discharged 
he must give three negative cultures 
showing that there are no traces of 
diphtheria present. He must prove he 
is cured not only of the scarlet fever, 
but of the diphtheria he may have 
been given (quite free!) in the hos- 
pital. 

The person whose experiences are here 
related instanced cases where scarlet 
fever patients were held over the seven 
weeks' period because they showed diph- 
theria symptoms as well. 

Under ordinary conditions the scarlet 
fever wards may be adequate so far as 
room is concerned, but during the epi- 
demic the overcrowding hampered effi- 
ciency continually. In the particular 
ward referred to seventeen adults used 
the only toilet available. This toilet, in 
a dark, poorly ventilated room, was also 
used in part by fifteen children. There 
was one bath room for the same number 
of adults and twenty-five children. 
Towels were often unobtainable, and 
after a patient was "ordered up," that 
is, after the first three weeks of his con- 
finement had passed, he was often 
obliged to stay in bed for several days 
because there were no clothes for him. 
His own clothes he was not allowed to 
wear; the hospital set was not ready. 
After a patient was up and dressed, the 



NEW BOSTON 



V 



3n ilemorp 



of 



fuliaWarbSottie 



America's 
#reate£(t 
OToman 



supply of clothes was entirely inade- 
quate. Patients were sometimes com- 
pelled to wear the same underclothes 
for two weeks at a time. 

The hospital food was wholesome and 
well cooked. The wards were kept clean 
and bright. In fact, everything possible 
was done for the comfort of the patients. 
But they were cared for under a system 
that should not have place in a city 
like Boston. If the primary business of 
a hospital is to cure sick people, the 
South Department does not, strictly 
speaking, belong under that head, for 
while every effort was made to bring 
the patients back to health and strength, 
and with remarkable success considering 
the facts of the case — every patient who 
entered the scarlet fever wards during 
the epidemic was laid open to the danger 
of catching diphtheria. The statement 
made by the Health Conference of 
Boston-1915 that "hospital accommoda- 
tions for contagious diseases are un- 
sufficient," seems to be pretty well 
supported. 



Superior Fabrics 



DAVIS 



East India House 



373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW HOSTON 



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Boston's Most Exclusive Decorators 

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We invite correspondence and in- 
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Telephone 600 Back Bay 

ALLEN, HALL & CO. 

384 - BOYLSTON STREET - 390 

Allen Hall Building 



Telephone Con. 

WALSH 

Importers & Designers 
of Millinery 

276 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 



Established 1858 



Edw. F. Kakas & Sons 



FURS 



364 BOYLSTON STREET 



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12-14 Winter St. 422 Boylston St. 

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Back Bay 3623-2 



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Oxford 917-3 



BOSTON. MASS. 



IRVING 

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Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 



A. E. Covelle & Co. 

PRESCRIPTION 
OPTICIANS 




Printing. 
Developing 

and 
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350 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON 



Oak Grove Creamery 

COMPANY 

431=437 Boylston Street 
Boston, Mass. 

BAKERY DELICACIES 

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Restaurant 6.30 a. m. to 8 p. m. 

Lunch Room open from 

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UP ONE FLIGHT 



Russian Importations 

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RUSSIAN IMPORTING CO. 

429 Boylston Street Boston 



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PIANOS 



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The Delft Lunch and 
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LUNCHEON 

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395 BOYLSTON ST.. BOSTON 



Burleigh & Martin 

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CATERERS 

Telephone, Back Bay 3940 

Berkeley Street and 

St. James Avenue 

Back Bay, Boston, Mass. 



NEW BOSTON 

CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 




A MONTHLY RECORD OF PROGRESS IN 
DEVELOPING A GREATER AND FINER CITY 

PUBLISHED BY BOSTON • 1915 • INC • 6 BEACON ST • 
BOSTON • MASSACHUSETTS • USA- 

VOL.1 DECEMBER, 1910 no.s 

FEN CENTS A COPY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR 




THE CALL OF 



NTER 



LIGHT Light and Heat— SOFT, NATURAL, STRONG, 

AND LIGHT, and QUICK, POWERFUL HEAT— these 

Lip AT ^re the requirements of the crisp, short days of Fall 
and Winter. 



THE 

MANTLE 
LAMP 



THE GAS 
STEAM 
RADIATOR 



The MANTLE GAS LAMP, with its POWER- 
FUL, YET SOFT AND WHITE LIGHT meets the 
first need most satisfactorily. Varying in size from the 
25 c. p. lamp costing l-12c per hour, to the gas arc 
lamp of 500 c. p. costing 1 3-lOc per hour, the gas lamp 
fills every demand of artistic home or exacting office 
and factory. 

The GAS STEAM RADIATOR, giving a 
STRONG STEADY FLOW OF HEAT, is AUTO- 
MATICALLY REGULATED by its own steam pres- 
sure to the lowest possible gas consumption. ECO- 
NOMICAL AND EFFICIENT, it is particularly well 
fitted for long-hour service in business and house alike. 



THE GAS 

LOG 



The GAS LOG, with its cheery blaze, gives an 
INSTANT, POWERFUL HEAT, quickly dispelling 
the chill of early morning. Just the thing for bedroom, 
dining room, library and office. 

Gas heaters are supplied in a great variety of 
forms, for every use. 

Send for a representative. 



BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 



Telephone Commercial Department, Oxford 1690 



24 West Street 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



DECEMBER, 1910 



No. 8 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 329 

THE CIVIC ADVANCE CAMPAIGN 329 

THE OBSTACLES TO BE OVERCOME 329 

THE PART PLAYED BY THE VOLUNTEERS 329 

SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED 329 

THE PAGEANT 330 

THE CENTRAL MEETINGS 331 

THE LOCAL RALLIES 332 

A VISITOR IN BOSTON 332 

TWO NOTABLE CONFERENCES James P. Munroe 333 

WHAT BOSTON-1915 MEANS TO AN OUTSIDER Henry B. F. Macfarland 334 

THE BOSTON-1915 CIVIC PAGEANT Lotta A. Clark 335 

THE CITY OF THE FUTURE Hon. John F. Fitzgerald 344 

HOW THE " CITY BEAUTIFUL " PAYS Clinton Rogers Woodruff 346 

EDUCATION IN THE "GREAT CITY" Charles F. Thwing 349 

WHAT DORCHESTER NEEDS Matthew Cummings 350 

EDUCATION THAT MEANS SOMETHING Frank W. Speare 352 

HOUSING SITUATION IN BOSTON Edward T. Hartman 356 

LABOR PLANKS IN A CIVIC PLATFORM Paul U. Kellogg 357 

BOSTON-1915 AND LABOR UNIONS Edward A. Filene 360 

SAVINGS BANKS INSURANCE Harry W. Kimball 364 

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CIVIC BETTERMENT Mgr. Michael J. Splaine 365 

A MONUMENT TO PUBLIC SPIRIT 367 

THE RIVERBANK SUBWAY March G. Bennett 369 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class matter at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES p. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 

(Copyright, 1910, by Boston— 1915, Inc.) 



NEW BOSTON 







f.^ II ™ •• • ■ 






w 



"'V' ^m^'-:i.r 



HOTEL PURITAN 

390 Commonwealth Avenue 

100 Yards West of Massachusetts Avenue Car Lines 

A DISTINCTIVE BOSTON HOUSE 

opened in November, 1909, with every modern resource for 
Transient and Permanent Guests 

D. P. COSTELLO, Manager 

Write for interesting literature on the Hotel in Boston and New England 



545 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

BIJOU THEATRE 



Open dally from 9.30 A. M. to 

10.30 P. M. 
Sunday 6.30 to 10.30 P. M. 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the public for a small admission. 

That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 

All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a " Moving Picture Show." 

PROGRAMME 



Motion Pictures at their Best 

The subjects carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
European producers. 

Camera Chats 

By a trained reader, on interesting phases 
of Hfe at home and abroad. 

Stereopticon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



One- Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

iVIusic 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



JOSEPHINE CLEMENT, Manager 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



DECEMBER, 1910 



No. 8 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



The Civic Advance Campaign 

As a means of attracting the united 
attention of the people of a large city 
to the importance of personal work for 
city betterment, the Civic Advance 
Campaign of Boston-1915 was entirely 
novel. Enlisting hundreds of helpers 
from all parts of Boston and the Metro- 
politan District, as well as numerous 
out-of-town speakers of national repu- 
tation, the campaign was in itself the 
best exemplification of the co-operative 
spirit in which Boston-1915 was founded. 
For that reason alone we feel justified 
in devoting this number of NEW BOSTON 
largely to the work and results of the 
twelve days' effort to arouse interest in 
civic advance. 

The Obstacles to be Overcome 

From the very first it was evident 
that many conditions would hinder the 
easy and adequate fulfillment of the 
purposes of the campaign. The im- 
portance of making clear the fundamental 
aims of Boston-1915 and of bringing 
to wider circles a knowledge of the 
opportunities for civic service which 
have appealed to those now interested 
in the movement was recognized. The 
campaign opened two days after the 
political excitement w^as terminated by 
election day, and as Rabbi Wise said 
at the final rally in Tremont Temple 
on November 21, it was significant that 
after the people of Boston had been 
"rallied to death" they would come out, 
as they did come out, and show that 
good citizenship means something more 
than casting a ballot once a year. Never- 
theless the political campaign left behind 
a big obstacle for the Civic Advance 



Campaign to overcome. Then there 
were the expected difficulties in securing 
the co-operation of existing agencies 
already overburdened with their own 
work, and the problem of securing 
hearers for subjects that involved the 
serious consideration of new obligations. 
All these obstacles were in a measure 
anticipated; but instead of reasons for 
not attempting the campaign they were 
really reasons for doing so as soon as 
possible, w^ith the fullest resources at 
command — the matter of expense being 
a constant check upon best results. 

The Part Played by the Volunteers 

Not a single portion of the campaign, 
from the Mayor's Conference on Nov- 
ember 10 to the Pageant in the Arena 
or the Civic Rallies that followed, could 
have been attempted w^ithout the assis- 
tance of the hundreds of volunteers 
who willingly undertook the tasks as- 
signed to them and made possible the 
success which accompanied the entire 
campaign. And if the stamp of success 
can be put on the campaign as a whole, 
as we certainly believe it can, what are 
some of the results that show the worth- 
whileness of those two weeks.? 

Some Things Accomplished 

Forty New England Mayors and city 
officials met for two days while the 
arguments of a political campaign were 
still warm and forgot partisanship in 
the discussion of city budgets, town 
planning, the milk situation, health 
problems, old age pensions and the like. 
At the final meeting of the mayors a 
permanent organization was effected 
under the presidency of Mayor Fitz- 
gerald, which will meet regularly to 



329 



330 



NEW BOSTON 



discuss problems of city administration. 
The feeling of the mayors themselves 
concerning the value of the conference 
was expressed by the following letters: 

"I wish to thank you for the pleasure 
given me and the city clerk of Portland, 
in Boston at the Conference of Mayors 
and heads of departments, last week. 

"The conference, I feel, was fruitful in 
results, and I sincerely hope that this 
year is but a beginning of a long series 
of such meetings. We saw Boston at 
its best and thoroughly appreciated the 
masterly manner in which you managed 
the affair." 

"Our trip to Boston to meet the New 
England mayors and city officials under 
your auspices having terminated so 
successfully, and with so much profit 
to us and others who participated that 
we wish to give expression to our interest 
in its continuance, and pledge ourselves 
to continued effort that the aims of 
Boston-1915 shall be fulfilled. 

"We appreciate very much the kindly 
courtesy and interest which was mani- 
fested by yourself and others in making 
our tour so profitable and pleasant." 

Speaking of the success of the con- 
ference Mayor Fitzgerald said: 

"If it were only for Mayor Logan's 
paper on Public Service Corporations* 
the Mayors' Conference was well worth 
while. But this inspiring address and 
Borough President McAneny's able des- 
cription of the progressive work done 
in New York since the inauguration of 
Mayor Gaynor were merely the climax 
of an excellent program which included 
business meetings, luncheons, formal 
papers, informal discussions, a tour of 
city departments, and a visit to the 
Pageant. 

"The chief result of the conference, 
in my opinion, was the effecting of a 
permanent organization of the mayors 
of New England. All the cities of this 
section have similar problems to solve 
and there is hardly one of them that 
could not afford to send its chief magis- 
trate and principal heads of depart- 
ments to such a conference every year. 
By such trips these officers would get 
away from local traditions, imbibe a 
different atmosphere, and come back 



ready to take their coats off and do 
things. 

"Perhaps the most vital of all the prob- 
lems discussed, at least for the cities of 
Massachusetts, was the problem of tax 
rates and indebtedness. One school 
believes in throwing all municipal ex- 
penses, even those incurred for perma- 
nent improvements, into the tax levy. 
Cities whose finances were administered 
in this way would have higher tax rates 
and little or no debt. Another school 
asks for a constitutional limitation of 
both debt and tax rate, such as exists 
in New York and some of the Western 
states. They believe that between the 
upper and the nether mill stones, city 
governments would be compelled to 
grind out the fine flour of a strict econ- 
omy. In practice it might not work 
that way, but at any rate it is an im- 
portant issue and well deserves a fore- 
most place in the discussions at the 
next Mayors' Conference. It is only 
one of the numerous interesting ques- 
tions which were raised during the 
sessions recently held. 
to "I consider the Mayors' Conference 
one of the most significant products 
of the 1915 movement. It means quite 
as much as the exhibition in the old Art 
Museum or the successful inauguration 
of a Safer and Saner Fourth, and I desire 
to congratulate the organization upon 
this happy conception and the conscien- 
tious and careful manner in which the 
details were carried out." 

The Pageant 

Miss Clark's article on another page 
of this issue summarizes the Pageant, 
"Cave Life to City Life." 

In the November issue of [NEW 
Boston Professor Baker of Harvard 
said: "The rapid development of public 
interest in pageantry in England and 
the United States during the past few 
years shows it supplies something the 
public lacks." 

The crowds that filled the Arena 
during the four productions of the 
pageant bore pretty good testimony to 
Professor Baker's statement. 

Those who were privileged to work 
with Miss Clark in organizing the 
pageant were not allowed to lose sight 



* An abstract of Mr. Logan's address will be published in NEW BOSTON for January. 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



331 



of the idea that "a pageant is not a 
show," that it means far more than an 
ordinary theatrical production; that 
modern pageantry, as exempHfied by 
"Cave Life to City Life,", is one of the 
best civic machines that a town or city 
can have for awakening municipal pride 
and purpose. That the Boston-1915 
pageant was a success in this most im- 
portant feature was evidenced by the 
enthusiasm with which the participants 
entered into it and the results that have 
followed in the way of definite plans for 
future civic work. 

In the course of her class work one 
of the teachers in a Boston public school 
asked her pupils if, in their minds, the 
pageant had been worth while. The 
following letter is quoted as a sample of 
those submitted. "The pageant was 
worth while, I think, because it gave 
a graphic picture of events in our past 
history; showed the various steps to 
better government and to better educa- 
tion, the great advance in science 
and industry and filled one with the 
vision of what Boston might 'yet 
become speedily and in our own day, 
too." 

Another letter said: "I did not under- 
stand very much about what a pageant 
was; but I know that Boston-1915 
wanted something and we were all 
ready to do it." 

It was in the spirit of the last letter 
that the pageanters entered into the 
rehearsals early in the fall. Before 
many weeks had passed they had learned 
what was the purpose of a pageant and 
had found new incentives for co-operating 
with Boston-1915 to make possible a 
better city. 

The Central Meetings 

On Sunday afternoon, November 20, 
in Tremont Temple, 2,300 young people 
representing every Protestant young 
people's religious society in Boston and 
the Metropolitan District met and heard 
about the opportunities for civic service 
through religious organizations. Nor 
was this meeting entirely devoted to 
"hearing." Perhaps the most important 
part was the "doing," when every 
person in the audience rose and took 
the Young Athenian's Oath adminis- 
tered by Judge Robert F. Raymond. 



These young people solemnly bound 
themselves in this way: 

"We will never bring disgrace to this, 
our city, by any act of dishonesty or 
cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering 
comrades in the ranks. 

"We will fight for the ideals and sacred 
things of the city, both singly and 
together. We will revere and obey the 
city's laws and do our best to^ incite a 
like respect and reverence in those above 
us who are prone to annul them or set 
them at naught. 

"We will strive unceasingly to quicken 
the public's sense of civic duty. Thus 
in all these ways we will transmit this 
city not only not less, but greater, 
better and more beautiful than it was 
transmitted to us." 

On the evening of the same day in 
Faneuil Hall a labor rally was held 
under the auspices of the Central Labor 
Union. Mr. Kellogg's address on "Life 
and Labor Planks in a Civic Platform" 
and Mr. Filene's remarks on Labor 
Unions and Boston-1915 are printed 
on another page of this number of NEW 
Boston. It is to be regretted that we 
are unable to reproduce the address of 
Mrs. Florence Kelley, Secretary of the 
National Consumers' League. Her re- 
marks were not in manuscript form, 
however, and we can only say that the 
child labor situation in Massachusetts 
was never explained with more clearness 
and interest than by Mrs. Kelley. And 
incidentally Boston-1915 was made to 
realize that the eyes of the child labor 
people are going to be centered upon 
Massachusetts in 1915 as a model in the 
protection of juvenile workers. 

At the final meeting held in Tremont 
Temple on the evening of November 
21, Rabbi Wise of the Free Synagogue, 
New York, told how Jews, Unitarians 
and Universalists were meeting weekly 
in his home city to sift out the social 
problems that could be met by all re- 
gardless of differences of religious opin- 
ions. This idea of a common responsi- 
bility for the welfare of the city in spite 
of religious beliefs was brought out by 
the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish 
speakers. Rabbi Wise said that the 
religion of today shows a "revival" of 
civic ideas, not a "survival" of religious 
dogma. And the Tremont Temple meet- 



NEW BOSTON 



ing showed plainly enough the hearty 
interest that church leaders have in 
civic advance as a definite part of a 
religious program. 

The Local Rallies 

From November 14 to November 19, 
thirty-one Civic Rallies were held 
throughout Boston and the Metropolitan 
District. This was the first attempt 
in an American city to focus the eyes of 
the entire community on the pressing 
needs of civic betterment. The success 
of the meetings which brought together 
several thousand people will not only 
form a valuable asset for the future 
work of Boston-1915, but will set an 
example for other cities where similar 
campaigns can be worked up. Not 
since Boston-1915 was organized has 
a more loyal spirit of co-operation been 
shown to the movement than by the 
speakers, both local and out of town, 
who sacrificed time and energy to make 
these rallies mean something for the 
civic life of Boston. Boston-1915 needs 
no better assurance of success than the 
example set by the speakers at the 
various meetings throughout the city 
and the suburbs. Rallies were held in 
ten different districts of Boston and in 
sixteen different towns and cities of the 
Metropolitan District with an aggregate 
attendance of 4,900. The total attend- 
ance at the local rallies and central 
meetings was over 12,000. 

A few of the papers read at the Civic 
Rallies are printed in this number of 
New Boston. Because of lack of 
space and inability to procure the manu- 
scripts of all the speakers, it is impossible 
to print each of the addresses. The 
articles which appear, however, give 
an idea of the breadth of discussion and 
the interesting and instructive manner 
in which the papers were presented. 

A Visitor in Boston 

"If you want an instance and an illus- 
tration of a mighty spirit of civic pride, 
take a little trip to the city with the 
reputation for sedateness and literary 
culture, not to mention its proud tra- 
ditions. The city of Boston is fairly 
seething with civic patriotism. All 
classes are enlisted, and there is not a 
day on which something is not accom- 



plished to realize the greater and finer 
city. The center of the movement is 
an incorporated organization formed of 
the leading business and professional 
men of the city, some of them men of 
national fame. They call themselves 
'Boston-1915.' And their work, as they 
have laid it out, is one of constant public 
education. They publish a monthly 
magazine of excellent appearance and 
of still better content, called NEW 
Boston. They also arrange for addresses 
by leading citizens on all topics of civic 
interest. These are held in various parts 
of the city and at different times and they 
cover a wide variety of topics. The 
speakers are not all local men, but they 
are all authorities on the subjects they 
are asked to present. Besides, there are 
the local meetings arranged for the good 
of the various small suburbs about the 
greater city. 

"The census returns scarcely give an 
adequate conception of the immensity 
of the city. There is no dividing line 
between Boston and its suburbs which 
may be discerned, so that the stranger 
walking in the streets or riding in the 
cars cannot tell whether he is in Boston 
or in Cambridge, Brookline or any one 
of the dozen other independent towns 
which are really a part of the city, but 
which do not figure in its census. So 
the extent of this civic movement in 
a city of actually almost a million and 
a half people is really very impressive. 

"The editor had the pleasure of wit- 
nessing perhaps the most interesting as 
it certainly was the most laborious and 
expensive of the features of the Boston- 
1915 movement. This was called simply 
the 'pageant' by most of the natives, 
though the official name of it was 'Cave 
Life to City Life.' It was an historical 
panorama reviewing the development of 
city life from the most primitive historical 
origins, and was truly in all respects a 
most remarkable performance. Under 
such splendid auspices as 'Boston-1915 
Inc.,' and with so great a variety of 
effort in the direction of civic better- 
ment, there can be little doubt that in 
the year 1915 the city of Boston will 
be able to look back upon these years 
as upon the period of its greatest and 
most permanent improvement." — Erie, 
Pa., Dispatch. 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



333 



TWO NOTABLE CON- 
FERENCES 

JAMES P. MUNROE 

President National Society for the Promotion of 
Industrial P^ducation 

The citizens of 1915, of 1920 and of 
the years beyond will be those who are 
boys and girls today. If, in the times 
ahead, we are to secure better con- 
ditions of industry, of education, of 
health, of housing, and of life in general, 
these citizens of the future must be given, 
in 1910, a right training for the demands 
of modern living and a vivid apprecia- 
tion of what effective citizenship means. 

A sick man — whether his sickness be 
physical or moral — cannot be a good 
citizen; therefore the first business of 
education is to establish in boys and girls 
sound and active bodies, clear minds, 
and self-respecting, self -controlling wills. 
But neither can a man or woman unable 
to earn a fair livelihood, be a good 
citizen. Consequently, the second duty 
of education is to develop all youth into 
efficient w^orkers and to start them on 
the straight road toward earning such 
a living that they may preserve their 
self-respect, establish a family, and keep 
that household above the deadening 
pressure of serious poverty. 

Therefore, it was by deliberate in- 
tention and arrangement that, parallel 
with the Boston-1915 Civic Advance 
Campaign, the Boston Vocation Bureau 
and the National Society for the Pro- 
motion of Industrial Education — both 
with the co-operation of the Chamber 
of Commerce — held their meetings in 
this city during the past month. It 
was the first National Conference on 
Vocational Guidance, but the fourth on 
Industrial Education; and the sessions 
of both organizations not only supple- 
mented one another, not only contributed 
in a remarkable degree to the progress 
of modern education, but also rein- 
forced and emphasized the fundamental 
principles of Boston-1915. 

It w^as not without significance that 
the successive meetings of the vocation 
conference (November 15 and 16) and 
of the industrial education society (No- 
vember 17-19) were held in the Chamber 
of Commerce, the Women's Educational 



and Industrial Union, the Young Men's 
Christian Union, the Public Library and 
the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- 
nology. Business, philanthropy, religion 
and higher education, all have a vital 
stake in these questions of industry and 
of vocation; and the problems evoked 
cannot be solved except by the serious 
and whole-hearted co-operation of every 
good agency in the community. 

The Conference on Vocational Guid- 
ance was notable, not only for the em- 
phasis placed by every speaker upon the 
major importance of giving boys and 
girls a right start in their economic life, 
but also for the evidence it gave of 
nation-wide interest in this compara- 
tively new development in education. 
Heretofore, the school's responsibility 
has been thought ended with "gradua- 
tion," be that at fourteen or at twenty- 
one; but it is evidently coming to be 
appreciated that for the state to spend 
enormous sums to prepare a youth for 
political, economic and social citizenship, 
and then to have no part in making that 
outlay effective, is a waste, not simply 
of the public's money, but of its most 
valuable resource — human life and effic- 
iency. 

Since, however, it is idle to point out 
a vocational path for a youth unless he. 
has been prepared in some measure to 
follow that road successfully, and since, 
directly or indirectly, substantially every 
boy or girl enters the fields of industry, 
the relation of vocational guidance to 
industrial education is the closest pos- 
sible. This was made plain at both the 
conferences. Vocational guidance, it was 
demonstrated, must not limit itself to 
the narrow, though important, problems 
of supplying an industrial market eager 
for trained men, and of raising the earning 
powers of those men; it must regard 
these as secondary to the larger ques- 
tions of individual happiness and sound 
citizenship. Industrial education, also, 
must not be controlled merely by the 
needs of the business and manufacturing 
world, but must always measure its 
true efficiency in terms of all-round man- 
hood and complete womanhood. The 
goals, therefore, of both these educa- 
tional activities should be primarily 
social and moral, rather than economic. 

This was recognized to an unusual 



334 



NEW BOSTON 



degree in all the recent sessions of the 
National Society for the Promotion of 
Industrial Education. Its earlier con- 
ventions, held in successive years at 
Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee, were 
productive of great good, especially in 
focussing public attention on the need 
for industrial education, and in per- 
suading the manufacturer and the artisan 
that both will benefit immeasurably by 
the extending of this type of training. 
At none of those meetings, however, did 
the discussion get down so close, on the 
one hand, to the actual, immediate 
problems of industrial education, and, on 
the other hand, to the basic reasons for 
that form of training, as it did at Boston. 

Whether on the first day, when that 
superlatively moral problem, the trade 
education of girls, occupied the sessions, 
or on the second day, when the questions 
of apprenticeship, part-time schools and 
continuation schools were under discus- 
sion, or on the third day when the 
Social Meaning of Industrial Education 
was the general caption, the speakers, 
most of them actually struggling with 
the difficulties of the problem in 
their daily work, not only dealt 
with genuine facts, conditions, and 
experiences, but pressed those concrete 
questions and results home to the 
fundamental principles underlying all 
forms of education. The same was 
true of the banquet held jointly with the 
Chamber of Commerce, at the Hotel 
Somerset, where the speaking was both 
of intrinsic excellence and upon an 
unusually high plane. It was especially 
significant that at this and at other 
meetings, among the strongest appeals 
from the merely utilitarian view of in- 
dustrial education to that of its social 
and moral bearings were those made by 
manufacturers, 

A notable service of the national 
society was in bringing to the United 
States, in connection with this meeting, 
Dr. Georg Kerschensteiner, director 
of the very complete series of trade 
schools in Munich, Bavaria. Few men 
can speak with more authority than he 
upon this part of the general problem 



of industrial education. The rest of 
the program was on an equally high 
level, and the community, as well as the 
national society, owes a real debt to 
those who planned and carried out these 
stimulating and illuminating sessions. 
Through these two remarkable con- 
ventions Boston has gone far towards 
reassuming the position which she for so 
many years held — that of undisputed 
leadership in matters of educational 
advance. 



WHAT BOSTON-1915 MEANS 
TO AN OUTSIDER 

HENRY B. F. MACFARLAND 

Ex-President Board of Commissioners 
District of Columbia 

The Boston-1915 campaign seems to 
me after an examination at close range 
to be thoroughly sound. It evidently 
commands the co-operation of the mu- 
nicipal authorities and civic bodies of 
Greater Boston and the active efforts 
of many fine men and women. Its prin- 
ciples are those of the best civic move- 
ments of our time ; its program is reason- 
able yet progressive; its success is al- 
ready gratifying and its future seems to 
be assured if the present progress is main- 
tained. As I said in Boston, other cities 
of the country are watching the move- 
ment with keen and sympathetic in- 
terest. Here in Washington, for example, 
I have had many inquiries about it and 
everything on the subject is read with 
closest attention by civic leaders. The 
reason, of course, is that here and in 
every city, we have similar problems 
and a similar desire to settle them right 
and to develop in every possible way the 
"City Useful" as well as the "City 
Beautiful." Both because of my Scotch 
blood and my profession as a lawyer, 
I am cautious in making statements, but 
I think it is no exaggeration to say that 
on the success of the Boston-1915 move- 
ment depends in a large measure the 
general advance of the cities of the 
United States and Canada. 



THE BOSTON- 1915 CIVIC PAGEANT 



LOTTA A. CLARK 

Director of the Pageant 



A pageant means opportunity in every 
sense of the word and is a success in the 
same proportion that the possibilities of 
a community are understood and utilized. 
The past is ours whether we will or not; 
the present is ours to make or to mar as 
we like, and the future depends largely 
on the power we have gained from the 
experience of our own past and of those 
who have gone be- 
fore. The present 
is always with us 
and the pressure 
of its work is often 
so insistent that 
only by deliberate 
effort do we escape 
from it, and put 
ourselves back 
into the past to 
glean from its field 
those seeds which 
have survived and 
which it is our 
duty to plant and 
to tend for future 
harvests. We are 
the reapers and the 
sowers at once and 
however crushing 
our present may 
be, this generation 
owes a sufficient 
education to ^the 
next one, to bear 
the burden of the 
problems which 
we ourselves have 
been unable to 
solve. Further- 
more, this educa- 
tion must give an adequate understanding 
of the past and a hopeful determination 
to face the present and meet the needs of 
the future. Because a pageant works ac- 
tively to help a community understand its 
past and to realize its present resources, it 
is becoming a powerful tool in education. 
It has been said that no one can come in 
contact with a pageant at any point 
without learning something, and one has 




MISS LOTTA A. CLARK 
Director of the Pageant 



only to try it to prove that this is true. 
It is quite appropriate also that Massa- 
chusetts, which has always set the 
standard in education in our country, 
should place its seal of success upon 
this newest phase of education. 

In organizing this first civic pageant 
the work at the beginning was to interest 
those who have in charge the young 
people who are just 
about to be citizens 
and home-makers. 
These are our hope 
for the immediate 
future. Through 
school superintend- 
ents, leaders of set- 
tlements, and club 
presidents, over a 
thousand young 
men and young 
women from fifteen 
to twenty years of 
age were enlisted 
and set to work. 
To this number 
were added several 
hundreds of older 
people who became 
interested in one 
way or another in 
some of the work 
for which the 
pageant offered a 
field. In this way 
all classes of soci- 
ety, employment, 
and creeds were 
brought together. 
It was no simple 
matter to interest 
thirty separate communities in an un- 
dertaking which they did not understand 
at first and consequently did not specially 
wish to help. But when it was made 
clear that here was a chance to focus 
public attention on city-making as a 
civic duty and to contribute a small 
share with many others for the credit 
of the home city, the response was im- 
mediate. There is a mighty civic pride 



335 



336 



NEW BOSTON 



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OFF FOR THE GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION 



in our midst which is dormant most of 
the time from mere lack of use. When 
aroused and guided, it brings with it a 
spirit of wiUingness and an energy for 
advance which are superb and startUng. 
The devotion to the work which the 
pageant embodied grew steadily stronger 
as the time went on. It was expected 
that when the real strain was felt 
many would drop out. Just the op- 
posite proved true, however. Even in 
the face of immense demands of time, 
strength, and patience, our numbers in- 
creased and our possibilities multiplied 
luntil we were forced to cut and condense 



in order to bring the pageant near its 
time limit. Some of our more daring 
friends told us that the work of prepar- 
ation was in itself beneficial enough to 
have justified the undertaking, even if 
the pageant itself were a failure. It 
takes a sober second thought to agree to 
this, but it was a mighty encouragement 
when that was most needed. 

There was no such thing as failure 
possible for a pageant that had the im- 
petus behind it which ours had, and that 
we knew full well who had our hands 
upon it. It had come to be a living 
entity brought into existence by much 




READY FOR THE HUSKING BEE 



THE BOSTON-1915 CIVIC PAGEANT 



337 




TOWN CRIER, OLD 

labor. But the time was ripe and it 
had to deliver a message which could not 
be stilled, though it could have been 
delivered far less perfectly. Its message 
might be voiced as follows: "Behold! 
here is what yesterday has given! What 
have you to add for tomorrow?" 

Then came before the eyes of the 
multitude that looked, the lives of those 
who have built for us all. The cave-man 
spent his life attending only to the 
primal needs, but he lighted the first 
hearth-fire, the heart of the first homes, 
and we owe him our tribute for that. 
The home life in the Indian village 
showed great advancement in industries 
and in community life. The coming of 
the Englishman and his conquest of 
the Indians brought our own era before 
us and the struggles crowned by suc- 
cess brought us to the "mile-stone on 
great freedom's way" at which we have 
arrived. The chance was then given 
to our proud city to see the improve- 
ment which the present has made upon 



the past. Nor was this all. The watch- 
word of the future perfect city "Preven- 
tion" was spoken in no uncertain tone for 
the guidance of those who come after. 

And so the Pageant passed and was 
gone, and even those who worked the 
hardest for it were sorry to see it go. 
Not until it was over did we realize how 
wonderful it had been, how it had bound us 
together, hundreds of us, to work actively 
for the good of our great city. We had 
expected that it would be large and im- 
pressive, but its beauty, both of color 
and of spirit, was an inspiration to all. 

It is impossible to describe the edu- 
cation through experience which came 
to those who took part in the pageant. 
One of the most valuable portions of it 
was brought by the Indians. These 
Iroquois came from their reservations 
in northern New York, near the Canada 
line. They brought with them the tents 
and utensils which are a part of their 
daily home life and we had a chance 
to associate with them at close range. 




AND NEW 



338 



NEW BOSTON 




FROM THE COLONIAL EPISODE 



The intelligence, patience, and polite- 
ness of these Indians were revelations to 
the young people both in the pageant 
and in the audience. The gentleness of 
the Indian maiden won for her many 
friends among us and a general under- 
standing of the Indian was gained at 
first hand in a way that could never be 
given by books, or descriptions. By 
the younger people this was voted the 
finest part of the pageant, and it was 
certainly well worth while to have these 
first Americans with us. 

One of the hardest pieces of work in 
the pageant was the building of the 
stockade. To men who are not accus- 
tomed to hauling logs this was not play, 
yet these men did it time and time again 
with no word of complaint, although 
more than one of them was white with 
fatigue. The spirit of the defence against 
attack and their protection of the women 
was strong ui)on them, and they made 
their work very real. As they listened 



to the words of thanksgiving for their 
deliverance spoken by their pastor, all 
realized as they never had before the 
bravery of those who had experienced 
these terrors in reality. So well did 
the audience catch this that many put 
their feelings into words and said that 
never before had they felt face to face 
with the sufferings and dangers of our 
pioneers. About six hundred people took 
part in the colonial episodes altogether, 
and here it was that we wanted our 
young people to feel themselves in the 
places of those who had built for them so 
well. It is very hard to say that one 
part of the pageant was of more value 
than another, but in no part did the 
reality of the representation strike deeper 
root. In the first jjlace those in most of 
the colonial episodes designed and made 
their costumes, and how beautiful they 
were! Artistic talent in the community 
was brought to the assistance of some of 
the groups; in others this was a part 



THE BOSTON-1015 CIVIC PAGEANT 



339 



of the regular school work, and the loveli- 
ness of the result was a delightful dis- 
covery even to those who had brought 
it about. The spirit of friendly co- 
operation and appreciative miderstanding 
which grew out of this phase of the work 
was wellnigh ideal and one had only to 
witness the coming of the ox-cart, the 
spinning, and the quilting to realize that 
the genius of the common folk had had 
its way among them. So perfectly had 
the harvest thanksgiving of the colonists 
become a reality to. a little daughter of 
Portuguese blood in one of our brick- 
paved districts that she wrote the fol- 
lowing verses: 

HARVEST SONG 

Redly the moon of the Harvest 
Looms hke a beacon for fall: 
Bright are the maple-leaves turning. 
Shedding a glow over all: 

Ripe are the wheat and the maize, — 
Lift np your voices in praise: 
No more shall- we dread, winter days, 
Or hunger when snow-drifts are tall. 



Bring forth the scythes and the sickles, 

Sweep down the life-giving grain. 
Pluck off the grapes and the a])ples, 
(Jather with might and with main. 
Store every attic and bin. 
Plan for your neighbors and kin 
When bitter-cold winter sets in. 
And brings with it hunger and pain. 

Heap up the logs in the fireplace. 

Fasten the door to the blast. 
Roast the brown nuts on the hearth-stone. — 
Now is the gay summer past. 

Warm your chill hands at the blaze, — 
Lift up your voices in j)raise: 
No more shall we dread winter days, 
No more need we wander or fast. 

Each time this song was , sung it 
thrilled those who heard it. Spectators 
said they felt as though they were borne 
along w^th the joy of it all. To have 
given pleasure to that extent to twenty 
thousand people is no mean civic con- 
tribution from one small girl, and the 
pageant furnished the opportunity for 
her to do it. 

The boys who came from the forge 
in their school, clad in blouses and lea- 







THE RECEPTION PARTY 



340 



NEW BOSTON 




THE SPINNING SCHOOL 




THE AMERICAN DANCERS 



THE BOSTON-1915 CIVIC PAGEANT 



341 




THE MAY POLE DANCE 



ther aprons and armed with their sledge 
and hammers and tongs put a vim into 
the Stamp Act riot that answered 
splendidly the excited call of the tow^n- 
crier. Those boys had been present at 
just one rehearsal; they could spare 
time for no more. But rehearsals are 
not necessary for that sort of thing. 
For the time being they are living the 
very life of it and that is what counts. 
Those fellows came ready to help wher- 
ever they were needed and when we 
asked for one to do a special piece of 
extra work, half a dozen answered. 

The most finished piece of work, from 
an educational point of view, was that 
done by the girls in the spinning school 
and the quilting bee. Most fortunately 
the girls who undertook to represent 
the spinning of colonial times were in 
a school where the whole study could be 
made a real part of the daily program. 
The head-master and the teacher en- 
tered into the undertaking with rare 
understanding and skill. The result 
proved conclusively that modern educa- 



tion will be successful when we can use 
as its material real work for a real pur- 
pose. The whole community was scoured 
for spinning-wheels that would spin, and 
both flax and wool wheels were procured. 
One of the girls knew how to spin and 
with the assistance of her mother and 
another older woman, material for spin- 
ning was obtained from Nova Scotia. 
With their help all of the girls learned 
to understand the process and eight 
learned how to spin. In the pageant 
they sat in groups, some spinning, others 
winding the yarn, and still others knitting 
and sewing with it. It was a pictiu-e 
never to be forgotten by those who 
witnessed it, to see these girls living a 
day in the lives of their great-grand- 
mothers and I feel sure it was a red- 
letter day in the lives of the girls them- 
selves. 

The quilting bee also was a scene 
planned with fine skill and lovely effect. 
The piecing of the patch work, the 
stretching upon the frames, the padding, 
the tacking and the binding produced 



342 



NEW BOSTON 



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BOSTON AND HER NEIGHBORS 



not only a charming picture of the days 
gone by, but also produced quilts, one 
of which will always be a souvenir of 
the pageant most highlj^ prized by the 
director. The dame school and the 
singing school, both the results of earnest 
care and labor, helped to complete the 
composite scene of Colonial industry 
and education. The industrial success 
brought riches and power as the gover- 
nor's party ably showed. 

The present as it is was represented 
symbolically by the superb group of 
thirty women who impersonated Boston 
and the neighboring towns and cities 
about her. Behind them came those 
who have made their past; before them 
were presented the young people of this 



land and of others, who are to make 
their future. It was as it was meant to 
be, the crowning feature of the pageant. 
The thought and labor which it cost were 
amply repaid by the wonderful beauty of 
the result. Guarded by their Knights' of 
Economy, the City Guard, from the evils 
that sap their strength and stunt their 
progress, the city group watched the 
coming of the nations one after another 
in their genuine folk dances. Swedes, 
Russians, Italians, Irish and Scotch 
showed their national characteristics to a 
remarkable degree for their own sons and 
daughters represented them. We had a 
chance ti appreciate the rich variety of 
ideal and strength which these contribute 
to our great "melting-pot" of nations. 




FIRE DANCERS AND KNIGHTS OF ECONOMY 



THE BOSTON-lOlo CIVIC PAGEANT 



343 



Tlie graceful tableaux of the Greek 
girls showiug the contributions of that 
country to our Athens of America were 
very beautiful, the vintage dance from 
the grape-growing countries of Eur()j)e, 
and finally the lovely American dance 
concluded the Pageant with a picture 
that many may not see more than once 
in a life-time. Great surprise was ex- 
pressed that these dances could be so 
much more exciuisite than those of pro- 
fessional performers. The explanation 
is simple. This was an expression of 
genuine American girlhood. 

Another remarkable result of the 
Pageant is the delightful feeling of 
satisfaction in those who have been as- 
sociated wdth the undertaking. All ex- 
press a conviction that something dis- 
tinctly valuable has been accomplished 
for the community and its people. The 
wonderful appreciation of the vast audi- 
ences went far to bring about this state 
of things. In addition to this, the 



parents and leaders have thanked us for 
giving their young people the oppor- 
tunity to be a part of the great civic 
work. Best and most significant of all 
was the word that came from one of 
Boston's neighbors that the young people 
there are now all ready to form a club 
to undertake a definite piece of civic 
work in their own community. No 
response could be better than that. No 
stronger proof is needed that the Pageant 
has accomplished its purpose. It has 
aroused the desire in the hearts of its 
young people to go to work today to do 
their part for the good of the home city. 
The same feeling exists in several other 
districts also, and this is the kind of re- 
ward which should crown richly in the 
near future the splendid, far-sighted work 
of the Boston-1915 organization. It is 
building on the faith that when Boston 
uses her own resources wisely, she can 
accomplish the finest results in the 
world. No fair-minded person doubts it. 




t/%'^\'S 



THE CITY OF THE FUTURE' 

HON. JOHN F. FITZGERALD 

Mayor of Boston 



If Miss Clark and her able associates 
at the Civic Pageant could have added 
the gift of prophecy to the arts of com- 
position and design, they might have 
ended the pageant with a brilliant spec- 
tacle. They might have pictured in full 
detail the city of the future, the city 
in which our children's children will 
live. 

In these days of startling transforma- 
tions we can only surmise what its ex- 
ternal appearance will be. But we may 
be sure of certain things about it. It 
will be larger than the city of today 
and because it is larger its government 
will not only do the things now done 
and do them better, but it will do more 
things. For a large city is much more 
than a group of small cities side by side. 
As it expands, its problems outgrow 
private initiative and capacity, and the 
functions of government become more 
and more complex. 

At present nearly all cities provide 
certain conveniences which we have 
come to regard as necessities, such as 
paved streets, water, lights, police and 
fire protection, the means of education, 
of health, and of recreation. Nearly 
all keep records of various sorts and care 
for the sick and needy. Certain persons 
selected from among the citizens to 
administer these functions form a group 
which is called the government. Not 
long ago there was a movement to sepa- 
rate these governing officials more widely 
from the people. We were told that 
the city was merely a business corpora- 
tion and its officers should be trained 
experts like those of the railroads or 
insurance companies. This theory is 
correct up to a certain point and the 
services of experts in their place are 
invaluable but when carried to an ex- 
treme it leads to an abdication of pre- 
rogative and a renunciation of interest 
on the part of the people, which is far 
from wholesome. A counter tendency 



has arisen, which aims to restore the 
spirit of the early town meeting by means 
of a kind of informal referendum. The 
government, complex as it is, is coming 
back to the citizens through the local 
and civic associations which mediate 
between it and them. They study 
practical problems and act as a check on 
the administration by their advice and 
criticisms. Such organizations, though 
unofficial, will in my opinion exert a 
greater and greater influence. Their 
rise in recent years is quite as important 
as any modifications which have been 
made in the form of government itself, 
the so-called city charter. I urge all 
good citizens to join such bodies and 
through them contribute to the building 
up of the community in which they live. 
The time has gone by when our whole 
duty as citizens consisted in the casting 
of a ballot and the payment of a tax bill. 
Among the problems which must be 
settled one of the foremost is transporta- 
tion. In a great metropolis hundreds of 
thousands of people must be distributed 
to and from their places of business every 
day. Huge living streams converge 
from the suburbs and residential districts 
upon the business center, and between 
the outlying sections themselves there 
is a continual movement. These shifts 
of population should be smooth, rapid 
and comfortable and the task of our 
civic engineers is to devise machinery 
to accomplish this. Hitherto our trans- 
portation systems have followed the 
main arteries of surface commvmication 
because the streets have been used for 
car tracks. In the future the two sys- 
tems will probably be divorced more and 
more. Subways and tunnels will make 
short cuts under the network of streets, 
emerging at convenient points for the 
reception and discharge of passengers, 
and the highways, now choked and al- 
most impassable, will be reserved for 
other forms of travel. 



♦This article and thoss that follow, with the exception of Mr. Bennett's article on the Riverbank Subway and the 
dascription of the St. Paul Auditorium, are atsstracts from addresses delivered during the Civic Advance Campaign. 



344 



THE CITY OF THE FUTURE 



345 



The problem of transportation is in- 
timately connected with the housing 
problem. With a perfect system of 
distribution, we could relieve the con- 
gestion in the older portions of our 
cities, where land values are so high 
that tenants must be packed together 
like bees in a hive in order to yield the 
honey of high rentals. The city of the 
future will not only provide cheap and 
rapid transportation to homes some 
distance away, where rents are less 
exorbitant, but it will rebuild its con- 
gested districts under laws that insure 
a minimum of air space to every occu- 
pant, besides the other conditions of 
health and decency. By enlarging the 
zones of fireproof building it will protect 
itself against those holocausts which now 
convert hundreds of millions of dollars of 
American wealth into ashes every year. 

The art of seeing a city as a whole 
has received the name of town planning. 
Town planning conferences have been 
held in many foreign cities, and in 
America ambitious designs have been 
made for some of the larger centers of 
population, such as Washington, Pitts- 
burgh, and Chicago. These plans con- 
sider not only the laying out of streets 
and the building of houses with an eye 
to beauty as well as convenience, but 
the creation of civic centers, the posi- 
tion of parks and beaches, and the loca- 
tion of railroads and markets. In Europe 
such matters as the height and style 
of houses and the display of advertising 
signs are controlled by the government. 
I believe that we in America shall cul- 
tivate the art of town planning more 
and more and perhaps in time go as 
far as the European cities, with results 
equally admirable. 

Cleanliness, which is nothing more 
than a speedy removal of waste, will be 
emphasized in the city of the future. 
Sewage and rain water must be carried 
off promptly; house refuse must be util- 
ized and destroyed; the streets must 
be kept free of noxious litter, and the 
air cleared of smoke and other pollu- 
tions. All these problems, I regret to 
say, are still unsettled, but the city of 
the future will surely solve them. 

Health, in the largest sense of the word, 
will be a theme and study for city govern- 
ments in the future and the death rate 



will be one barometer of their eflBciency. 
We have already gone beyond the care 
of the sick in hospitals and the control 
of epidemics. All the arts of prevention 
will be practised, particularly during 
early life, so that a sounder race of men 
and women may emerge out of the 
happier childhood which the city of 
the future will foster among its offspring. 

Education in the future will be pro- 
foundly modified. It will not cast all 
the pupils in one iron mould as was the 
case only a decade or two ago. It will 
adapt its methods to the varying needs 
of individuals and the complex demands 
of society. At the same time it will not 
specialize to excess or commit the young 
learner for life to a narrow groove. He 
will enjoy his lessons more than now, 
yet get a thorough discipline from them. 
This new vocational education has its 
character-building side which must not 
be overlooked. Industry is the name 
of a virtue as well as a synonym for 
trade, and the boy who is trained for 
productive effort which shall be both 
lucrative and congenial is the better 
citizen and the better man for this 
practical schooling. 

The means for performing these educa- 
tional functions will probably be pro- 
vided in the city of the future by tapping 
new sources of revenue. The load of 
taxation is now tossed from shoulder to 
shoulder until it rests upon the broad 
back of the multitude. In the future, 
special benefits will be paid for by the 
beneficiaries and not by the people. 
Streets will not be laid out to enrich 
land speculators. A part of the unearned 
increment will go back to the community 
which created it. In a word, the inci- 
dence of taxation will be shifted and a 
larger income will be provided, with 
less strain upon the resources of the 
poor. I like to think, too, that as govern- 
ment grows in dignity and influence it 
will attract benefactors, and that citizens 
will endow particular public works just 
as alumni remember their colleges. 
Boston has now about eight million 
dollars in trust funds, including the 
great Parkman bequest, amounting to 
five million dollars. In the future it 
should have many times that sum. 

The effect of all these changes will be 
no doubt a considerable transmutation 



346 



NEW BOSTON 



in the outward appearance of the city. 
More than that, there will be a growth 
and change in the character of the 
citizens. We are all creatures of en- 
vironment, and our instinct, which 
judges a city by its representatives we 
chance to meet, is not a wholly mis- 
leading one. A Bostonian and a San 
Franciscan may be brothers by blood, 
but they will show difference of speech. 



thought and temperament as wide 
as the continent which separates Cape 
Cod from the Golden Gate. The 
inhabitant of the future city, if he 
reflects its character, as he must, 
should be a broader and a finer 
man than we. He will be able to 
look up to the heroes unashamed, yet 
not forget that the cave man was his 
forefather. 



'HOW THE "CITY BEAUTIFUL" PAYS 



CLINTON ROGERS WOODRUFF 

Secretary National Municipal League 



John Burns has constantly before him 
an ideal toward which he is working as 
the effective head of England's Local 
Government Board. While he has most 
frequently defined it in a series of nega- 
tives — don'ts — nevertheless it is in es- 
sence a progressive and constructive 
plan, at the basis of which lie these two 
great ideas. 

Make the private home so pleasant 
that the public house will have no ap- 
peal. 

Make the city a community where 
health shall be the only wealth. 

To attain these ends, Mr. Burns be- 
lieves in imposing upon every new com- 
munity, and every old one where he gets 
the opportunity, the maintenance of a 
proper relationship to the natural, phy- 
sical, social and industrial ends. 

Back to back houses are being abol- 
ished under his initiative; cellar dwellings 
have gone; the mean street is doomed; 
the smoke nuisance is diminishing; parks, 
gardens, trees and boulevards are growing 
in number and attractiveness; health 
is improving fast; disease and death are 
being controlled in Britain faster than 
anywhere; tuberculosis, the disease of 
poverty, dirt, density and overcrowding 
is being ended; infant mortality, the 
symptom of bad homes and bad mother- 
hood, has declined forty per cent in 
five years. 

Surely a splendid record, and one which 
is characteristic of modern city life at 



home and abroad. Indeed, the idea of 
a city ideal is a modern one. The city 
is no longer regarded a necessary evil, 
as Dr. L. S. Rowe points out. It is 
recognized as the accompanying factor 
of all civilization. Only under the 
conditions of city life can the possi- 
bilities of human development be realized. 
This does not mean, Dr. Rowe asserts, 
that the city "should be a monotonous 
succession of narrow and depressing 
thoroughfares, that every available open 
space should be covered with flaring 
signs, that at every street corner there 
should be a saloon, and that every in- 
dividual should be permitted to give free 
range to his fancy in the erection of 
dwellings." Through the construction of 
parkways, the erection of imposing public 
buildings, a change in the immediate 
environment of the poorer classes, and, 
finally, the acceptance of the social 
standard in the performance of muni- 
cipal services, a new concept of muni- 
cipal activity and of city life will be 
attained. 

The question of greatest interest in 
this connection is the ultimate effect 
of this view of municipal services on the 
civic standards and activities of the com- 
munity. The first effect of this change 
will be of a negative character. The 
community will no longer tolerate meth- 
ods of action which are now regarded 
with indifference. A new sensitiveness 
which is the necessary condition of higher 



HOW THE "CITY BEAUTIFUL" PAYS 



347 



standards will be developed. The over- 
crowded street car, the advertisement- 
covered fence, the filthy alleyways will 
arouse the active condemnation of the 
community. Opinion will thus reach its 
true position as a great social force in 
city life. From these more negative 
standards there will be a gradual ad- 
vance to positive standards. 

Some of the things which the ideal 
city should avoid, in ]\[r. Burns' judg- 
ment, are: Street noises, smoke nuis- 
ances, ugly forecourt shops, vulgar ad- 
vertisements, professional football clubs, 
street betting, mechanical amusements, 
the sombre austerity of the "kill-joy" by 
providing the pleasures that elevate, 
the games that stimulate, and the leisure 
that recreates. 

These are some of the negative stan- 
dards from which we proceed to positive 
ones, and which produce positive results. 
The new civic standards to which they 
lead, to carry Dr. Rowe's idea one step 
further, will be based upon distinctively 
city ideals, which will assure that de- 
votion to the public good upon which the 
future of American city life and the 
efRcient working of all forms of govern- 
ment must ultimately depend. 

A Western paper tells of an occurrence 
in Kansas City, one of the greatest of 
the middle western cities, which illus- 
trates this fact. Boosters of that city 
were recently showing about the town 
a man who was looking for a location 
for a large wagon factory. They took 
him for a spin over the boulevards that 
cost millions, through the public parks 
and along streets lined with attractive, 
comfortable residences. At the con- 
clusion of the ride the capitalist said: 

"This is the place in which I want to 
locate; a city that has the enterprise to 
spend money in creating these boule- 
vards, parks and homes is the place in 
which I want to raise my children." 

He didn't inquire as to sidetracks, 
spurs or shipping facilities. He took 
all these things for granted in a city 
which had been so progressive, and de- 
cided on account of the attractive features 
of the city. 

American cities afford abundant il- 
lustrations of city ideals, and high ones 
at that. Take our river bank and 
water fronts. In too many places in 



America our river banks and our whole 
river front are far from beautiful; indeed, 
in most instances they are the least 
beautiful, the least effective aspects of 
our cities. Gradually, however, our city 
fathers are manifesting a new spirit. 
We find them giving increasing atten- 
tion to the beautification of the river 
bank and the water front, so that it may 
be a thing of beauty, and so that the 
first impression of those who approach 
a community by water may be pleasant 
and uplifting rather than, as at present, 
uninspiring and often depressing. 

The river front must be i)rotected 
where it has not yet been degraded, and 
where degraded it must be redeemed. 

Here and there we find striking in- 
stances of how the water front may be 
treated effectively. For instance, the 
banks of the Schuylkill, which flows 
through Fairmount Park for a number of 
miles, has been made a joy to the be- 
holder; and the Wissahickon Creek, 
which is a tributary to the Schuylkill, 
has long been one of the scenic features 
of Philadelphia's great park and of the 
country as well. W. A. Finklenburg, of 
Winona, Wisconsin, has been a pioneer 
in this connection; and the work that he 
has done on the levee at Winona is effec- 
tive in itself and has served as an example 
which other Mississippi River towns 
have not been slow to imitate. 

"The St. Louis Plan," worked out by 
the Civic League of that city, includes 
a re-making of the river front with due 
recognition of the fact that it has strik- 
ing advantages for commercial and trans- 
portation purposes. Its working out 
of the problem, however, is worth 
thoughtful consideration, showing how 
the most exacting business demands can 
be met, while the beauty of the city is 
enhanced. 

Once a river front is redeemed, ad- 
joining sections will feel the benefit of 
the impulse, and there will be a read- 
justment of extended influence, for good 
examples are contagious. They will carry 
with them a desire for cleaner and better 
streets in the business portions of the 
city, and for the imi)rovement of the 
architecture of the usual "downtown" 
business district; for unfortunately in 
this country the water front had been 
abandoned as a place of residence, ex- 



348 



NEW BOSTON 



cept in a very few communities. Why 
this should be so, when one bears in 
mind the beauty of water scenery, is 
difficult to say, unless we accept the 
explanation of the economist that it has 
been utilized for business purposes be- 
cause more accessible. With improve- 
ments in transportation and the read- 
justment incident thereto, this reason, 
however, carries no longer the same 
weight with it, and it is to be 
hoped that once again the river fronts 
may become the residential districts. 
Another reason has been that the water 
front has been considered unhealthy, but 
with the great sanitary improvements 
of the day this reason is also passing 
away. 

It is a curious fact that the approaches 
to towns and cities, whether by water or 
by rail, have been generallyl unprepos- 
sessing. Hand in hand, however, with 
the proposed improvement to the water 
front, we find a demand on the part of 
the patrons of the railroads, as well as 
city authorities and public-spirited men 
and women, that the railroads should 
improve not only the surroundings of 
their stations, but the right of way. 
Our ideals of what a railroad, as well as 
what a city should be, and their rela- 
tions to each other are changing. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad, in some 
recent orders, furnished an interesting 
and striking illustration of the new at- 
titude of the railroad toward the public 
and toward its patrons. It is seeking to 
create an ideal roadbed and right-of- 
way which will be a pleasure to the people 
riding on its cars and to the people living 
by its side. The Schuylkill Valley Di- 
vision has been chosen for the experi- 
ment. To secure this desirable end, the 
railroad started a movement to secure 
the co-operation of the people living along 
the right-of-way in having them keep it 
clean and free from rubbish. 

Mr. Carnegie, in his deed transmitting 
$2,500,000 in five per cent bonds to the 
Dunfermline Trustees, declared it his 



wish that the money should be used in 
attempts to bring "into the monotonous 
lives of the toiling masses at Dunfermline 
more of sweetness and light, to give 
them — especially the young— some charm, 
some happiness, some elevating con- 
ditions of life which elsewhere we have 
denied, that the child of my native town, 
looking back in after years, however far 
from home it may have roamed, will feel 
that simply by virtue of being such, life 
has been made happier and better. If 
this be the fruit of your labors, you will 
have succeeded; if not, you will have 
failed." 

Such, indeed, may be said to be the 
trust rationally assumed by the National 
Municipal League and the American 
Civic Association and locally undertaken 
by the Boston-1915 movement. Thus 
far the national organizations have been 
successful beyond the expectation of 
their most sanguine well-wishers, and have 
found for themselves a place in the 
American life of today that has made 
them a factor, an influence of great 
usefulness. They owe their position, 
however, not only to the activity of 
their officers, but to the united and 
efficient co-operation of their members 
in every city, town and village. They 
stand with all that they have accom- 
plished, only at the threshold of its 
opportunities. May the coming years 
see a great accession to their numbers 
and resources, so that they may realize 
in some degree at least, the aspirations 
of their founders, officers and workers, 
in promoting higher ideals of American 
municipal life. 

The Boston-1915 movement repre- 
sents the same public-spirited co-opera- 
tion for the concrete application of the 
principles of the new municipal idea to a 
great metropolitan community. May 
the same wisdom and foresight which 
guided its formation attend its effort to 
the solution of Boston and America's 
greatest problem — the satisfactory self- 
government of the urban population. 



EDUCATION IN THE "GREAT CITY" 

CHARLES F. THWING 

President of Western Reserve University and Adelbert College 



After its mighty 
resistance to one 
of the longest and 
severest sieges in 
our history, Ley- 
den (dear to the 
Pilgrim heart), on 
being relieved, was 
freed by William 
of Orange either 
from a cessation of 
taxes for a term of 
years, or the foun- 
dation of the uni- 
versity. The foun- 
dation might lay 
upon the city finan- 
cial burdens which 
it was ill fitted to 
bear, but at once 
the citizens re- 
sponded, "Give us 
the University." 
The history of Ley- 
den for more than 
three hundred 
years illustrates 
the wisdom of their choice. 

If Boston did not have any Boston 
University and Boston College, and in 
Cambridge and other surrounding towns 
institutions of the higher education, it 
should at once set about laying such a 
foundation. The municipal university 
represents one of the great duties and 
opportunities of the present and of the 
future. 

The higher education is important, but 
the lower is, in many ways, more im- 
portant. Foundations are wider the 
deeper they go down. A good school 
should teach truth, but it should do what 
is more important — teach boys and girls 
to think, to reason, to judge. It should 
so teach truth that the power to think 
shall naturally result. It also should 
so teach truth that boys and girls shall 
think about the things that interest and 
inspire. If the public schools should 




Copyright by Purdy 

PRESIDENT CHARLES F. THWING 



accomplish this 
great result, the 
record of a class 
going through the 
school would not 
be, as it now is, 
like the log of a 
ship in a gale, 
marked by what 
it loses. 

A great city 
aims to be great 
in its religion. A 
common denomi- 
nator of religious 
systems should be 
found. This great 
principle repre- 
sents God. Each 
individual makes 
his own God, each 
interprets Him, 
each accepts Him 
according to his 
own ability. But 
the element of rev- 
erence, of respect 
to the Universal and Eternal Being, of 
obedience to His laws, of heeding every 
admonition of His will, should be 
broad and pervading. The institu- 
tions established in His name should 
be supported. The evangelist comes 
with his revival of religion. All 
blessing be upon him! The religious 
statesman comes with his religion as a 
permanent, broad, and high part of civic 
duty. The city holds a relation to God 
which it cannot afford to neglect. To 
put off His will is disaster; to obey His 
will in love and reverence is civic tri- 
umph. The Roman Catholic, the Jew, 
the Friend, the Protestant] can here 
stand together. A great city must be 
greatly religious, greatly religious not in 
dogma, nor in creed, or denomination, 
but greatly religious in its uplook to 
the eternal and in its outlook upon the 
universal and the infinite. 



349 



WHAT DORCHESTER NEEDS 

MATTHEW CUMMINGS 

President Neponset Improvement Association 



I read recently a very interesting state- 
ment made by General Bancroft of the 
Elevated Railroad wherein he said that 
the Elevated was willing to have a 
subway built to Park Street, Dorchester, 
provided the Legislature authorized the 
consolidation of the West End and Boston 
Elevated Railways. And provided further 
that the leases granted to the Elevated 
Railroad by the city of Boston for the 
use of the subways would be extended. 

The citizens of Boston believed in the 
past that the subway belonged to the 
city, as the city is' obliged to pay the 
cost of construction. But according to 
General Bancroft's statement we cannot 
have a subway to Dorchester, unless 
the Boston Elevated Railway receives 
from the Legislature what it demands. 
If the people of Dorchester are at the 
mercy of the Boston Elevated Railway 
to that extent, there is little hope for the 
future. However, I believe public 
opinion will induce General Bancroft 
and those whom he represents, to change 
their minds on this matter very quickly. 

Notwithstanding the great amount of 
advertising in the Boston papers, transit 
facilities have not improved in Dor- 
chester to any ajipreciable extent during 
the past ten years, particularly that part 
of Dorchester lying east of Washington 
Street. Every effort is made to divert 
traffic to the Dudley Street Terminal 
and the people living in a large part of 
Dorchester who are going to or returning 
from the city are forced to travel more 
than a mile out of their way, or wait a 
long time for a Dorchester Avenue car. 
It takes fifty minutes to travel, with 
the present facilities, from Dorchester 
Lower Mills, Mattapan, or Neponset 
to the North Station. If the time wasted 
waiting for cars is added, it means that 
an hour's time is used up going to the 
city, and the same returning in the even- 
ing. Consequently two hours is con- 
sumed every day by many thousands of 
people in Dorchester going and returning 
from their work or business. 



We want to create a public opinion 
that will force the Legislature to au- 
thorize the Transit Commission to build 
a subway to Park Street along Dor- 
chester Avenue with the least possible 
delay. And we look to our representa- 
tives in the state and city government 
to support us in this movement for better 
transit facilities. 

The growth of Dorchester is also 
seriously handicapped by the fact that 
we have no cross town traveling facilities 
either by the electric railways or steam 
railroads. In order to travel from Ne- 
ponset to Franklin Park, Mattapan or 
West Roxbury, the people are obliged 
to ride into the city and out again by 
another route in order to arrive at their 
destination. This means that people 
are obliged to travel a double distance 
with a corresponding waste of time. The 
cost of making cross-town connections 
by the Elevated Railroad would be in- 
significant and should be insisted on 
by the citizens of Dorchester. The 
line at present running from Mattapan 
to Dorchester Lower Mills should be 
extended along Adams and Minot Streets 
to Neponset. The present Talbot Avenue 
line should be extended along Ashmont 
or some other suitable street to Neponset 
Avenue, if for no other reason than to 
accommodate the pupils attending the 
Dorchester High School. Although the 
distance from the water front to Dor- 
chester High School is less than two 
miles, pupils who attend on stormy days 
are obliged to ride from Neponset and 
Commercial Point to Uphams Corner 
or to the Dudley Street Terminal, and 
then transfer to a Dorchester car, the 
only connection that can be made to 
reach the school. The children are thus 
obliged to travel a distance of about 
eight miles to reach a school that is not 
more than a mile and a half or two miles 
from their homes. 

This is the only city in the country 
that runs all its car lines in one direction. 
The steam railroads afford no better 



350 



WHAT DORCHESTER NEEDS 



351 



accommodation in this direction, as all 
the railroads run north and south. There 
is at present an unused branch of the 
New York, New Haven and Hartford 
Railroad that runs from Neponset to 
Mattapan. The people of Dorchester 
and West Roxbury should demand that 
a new line be constructed to connect the 
Mattapan branch with the Providence 
line of the New York and New Haven 
road, thereby forming a circuit line that 
would help to develop all that section of 
the city, both for residential and manu- 
facturing purposes. 

We have been trying for years to get 
the city or state to build a broad level 
road from the Quincy bridge at Neponset 
to the old colony roadbed at Crescent 
Avenue, but our petitions have so far 
been rejected. When the railroad cross- 
ing at Walnut Street is abolished (which 
will be within a year) there will then be 
no level road from the south shore to 
Boston, and heavy loads from Quincy 
must be hauled over steep grades. We 
are told by the city that there is no money 
available for street construction in Dor- 
chester and this leads up to the questions 
of state and city taxation and expendi- 
tures. 

The city of Boston contributes more 
than one-third of the state tax. There 
are hundreds of miles of state roads in 
Massachusetts, built by the State High- 
way Commission, and Boston pays 
thirty-six per cent of the cost of their 
construction and maintenance. Yet we 
have never been able to get a state road 
built in Boston except a short section 
in West Roxbury and that under a 
special law whereby the city had to pay 
about eighty per cent of the cost of con- 
struction. This year's Boston tax bill 
shows that the city is obliged to pay a 
state tax of $1,880,395 and a metro- 
politan tax amounting to $1,369,4'92, 
making a total of .$3,21-9,880 that Boston 
is obliged to pay to the state. In my 
opinion this double system of state 
taxation on the city is a rank injustice. 

In addition to paying thirty-six per 
cent of the state tax, the city of Boston 
is compelled to pay sixty-five per cent 
of the cost of the construction and main- 
tenance of metropolitan parks, boule- 
vards, and sewers, although the city is 
obliged to construct and maintain its 



own ])arks, sewers and boulevards. It 
pays eighty per cent of the metropolitan 
water rates, and it will have to i)ay about 
eighty per cent of the cost of the con- 
struction of the C'harles River Basin. 
You will find in that part of Quincy 
known as Atlantic a state boulevard, 
and the citizens of Boston are compelled 
to pay sixty-five per cent of its cost, 
while the city of Quincy, which receives 
all the benefit, pays less than two per 
cent of its cost. If Quincy or any other 
city wants parks and boulevards they 
should pay for these improvements and 
not saddle two-thirds of the cost on the 
city of Boston. The money that should 
be used for Dorchester improvements 
is being used for the benefit of other 
cities and towns in the so-called metro- 
politan district. That is the reason 
cities and towns in the metropolitan 
district refuse to be annexed to Boston. 
Under our present laws the city of Boston 
is compelled to pay from sixty-five to 
eighty per cent of the cost of improve- 
ments in those places. If all construc- 
tion work done by the state were paid 
out of the state tax, these cities and 
towns would be in a hurry to be annexed. 
If we had a fair and equitable system 
of state and city taxation there would 
be sufficient money for all necessary 
improvements in our city. 

We are in need of better police pro- 
tection. This is not the fault of the 
officers, as the routes are so large that 
it takes a policeman nearly all his time 
traveling from one end of his route to 
the other, in order to ring his calls at 
the patrol boxes. 

The streets of Dorchester are not 
cleaned as they should be. Do you 
realize that Dorchester with its very 
large population and area has no sanitary 
and street cleaning yard? The streets 
of Dorchester should be cleaned by 
citizen labor and by the street cleaning 
de])artment of the city. It is false 
economy to save money by leaving dirt 
on the streets. The men who have 
grown t)ld in the city's service could be 
used for that ])urpose with good results. 
I am strongly opposed to the cry of the 
incompetent and inefficient boss who 
usually tries to cover up his own in- 
efficiency by throwing the blame on 
the old men working under him. I 



352 



NEW BOSTON 



speak from experience and I unhesitat- 
ingly say that men who are well along 
in years are the best for street-cleaning 
work. The removal of garbage and 
ashes should also be done by citizen 
labor and by men who can speak English. 
I believe that the citizens of Dor- 
chester should meet frequently and 
discuss the importance of improving 
local conditions. This is a great resi- 
dential section of our city, yet you will 
find hundreds of miles of sidewalks un- 
paved. In the city of Chicago when a 
street is laid out, sometimes before any 
building is erected, granolithic sidewalks 
are constructed and a portion of the cost 



charged to the property owners. I be- 
lieve a law of that kind containing a 
provision that the property owners should 
pay for the cost in installments covering 
a period of ten or fifteen years would be 
a great benefit to our community. We 
should work for these mprovements 
not as Republicans or Democrats but as 
Dorchester citizens. We all suffer alike 
from the conditions I have mentioned, 
and it is only by having all the people 
of this section working together, de- 
manding what reasonably and justly 
belongs to them from the state 
and city, that we can hope to obtain 
results. 



EDUCATION THAT MEANS 
SOMETHING 



FRANK W. SPEAEE 

Educational Director, Boston Y. M. C. A. 



The pupils in the public school are 
singing two songs, the first of which is 
absolutely pat in its application. It 
runs, "I don't know where I'm going, 
but I'm on the way." Let us stop to 
analyze the title of this song, and see 
how it applies to the situation. What 
official is there connected with any great 
public school system who is well in- 
formed as to the ultimate or intended 
destination of his students? The pri- 
mary teacher's business is to get her 
pupils into the grammar school. The 
grammar school teacher passes them on 
to the high school, and the high school 
teacher fits them for the college, technical 
school or "life," the latter being a very 
general term which means very little 
in the majority of cases. 

The first need of any complete school 
system is vocational advice based upon 
careful investigation and analysis. This 
advice can be given with the greatest 
success in the later teens, but should 
be preceded by definite vocational train- 
ing. As an example of this plan, take 
the method now opeiated in the Day 
School of the Boston Young Men's 
Christian Association. 



The objects of the system are fourfold: 

1. To induce the parent to keep his 
boy at school as long as possible. 

2. To give each boy who attends, in 
addition to his regular grammar or high 
school work, a definite occupation by 
means of which he can earn a comfortable 
living at any time he finds it necessary 
to leave the Day School. 

3. To lead the boy to see the necessity 
for the courses he is taking and their 
application to the completed whole. 

4. To so interlock the work of the day 
and evening schools that at any time 
the boy may change from one to the 
other without disturbing his regular 
plan of life. 

All the boys in the seventh and eighth 
grades are required to take certain 
courses which fit them as competent 
office assistants. This work includes 
simple bookkeeping, filing, tying and 
marking bundles, dusting and sweeping 
an ofiice, opening and sorting the mail, 
the use of the telephone, writing tele- 
grams, meeting customers and perform- 
ing general office routine. Such boys 
command five dollars a week at the 
outset as against two dollars for the 



EDUCATION THAT MEANS SOMETHING 



353 




READING GAS METER IN ASSOCIATION SCHOOL 



unskilled boy. Any boy or parent will 
at once appreciate the value of such 
training, and heartily enter into its 
spirit. The boy is not consulted as to 
his likes and dislikes, but is arbitrarily 
taught this office routine as part of his 
regular school program. 

We say to the parent, at the com- 
pletion of the grammar school, "Your 
boy is capable of earning five dollars a 
week, but if you will continue him 
through the first year of the high school, 
he will make a much better showing." 



This is accomplished in two ways. Those 
boys who show a decided preference for 
commercial subjects are given a thorough 
course in double entry bookkeeping. 
Those who do not show such an interest 
are given a course of thirty-two weeks, 
six periods per week, in mechanical 
drawing, including the use of instru- 
ments, intersections, geometrical prob- 
lems, machine work, inking, tracing and 
blue ])rinting. Such assistant book- 
keepers and draftsmen command, as a 
minimum, ten dollars per week. 



354 



NEW BOSTON 




Y. M. C. A. ELECTRICAL LABORATORY 



This work is in addition to the regular 
high school program. It is required of 
all, and is known as the "boys' life line." 
Thorough study is absolutely insisted 
upon, and nothing is allowed to inter- 
fere. These boys also know "where they 
are going, and are on the way." 

Again, at the completion of the second 
year, the parent is interviewed, and the 
following proposition is presented: that 
his boy, by continuing in the commercial 
division of the vocation courses, will 
be taught shorthand and typewriting, 
or in the industrial lines will be given a 
thorough course in industrial electricity, 
including batteries, bells and annun- 
ciators, switchboards, arc and incandes- 
cent lighting, dynamos and motors. 
These boys command from twelve to 
fifteen dollars per week. They have, 
therefore, increased their earning ca- 
pacity 150 to 200 per cent over the five- 
dollar-a-week office boys of two years 
before. 

At this period in his career, definite 
vocational advice is given, and the boy is 
led to take specific subjects which will 
complete his preparation for college, 
technical school, business or industrial 
activity. He has become accustomed 
to doing things which have a commer- 
cial value; he has learned to think for 



himself, and to appreciate the value of 
labor so that at the end of the second 
year he is enthusiastic in the develop- 
ment of his powers. 

The three-year boys in the commercial 
division are given accountancy and other 
commercial subjects, while the indus- 
trial boys are given instruction in gasoline 
engines, stationary automobile and 
marine. 

Now again, the compensation has in- 
creased from fifteen to twenty dollars, 
and the parent is willing to make any 
sacrifice to enable the boy to reach this 
goal. 

The fourth year in the high school is 
left free for the boy to specialize in 
those subjects which have been elected 
either as a vocation to be followed 
or in concentrating upon the college 
preparation. But, in any case, at the 
completion of four years, the boy has 
been led through several different occu- 
pations, industrial or commercial. He 
has been given two or three opportu- 
nities for earning a livelihood. He has 
done all the work of the regular high 
school, in addition, and through this 
entire period, has performed his assigned 
tasks cheerfully and with intelligence. 
The parents who watch the progress 
of the boy from year to year gladly 



EDUCATION THAT MEANS SOMETHING 



355 




IN THE EDISON TESTING ROOM 

sacrifice on his account, feeling that when 
the time conies for the boy to leave school, 
instead of joining the great army of 
street walkers who are obliged to hunt 
for a "job," about wdiich they know 
nothing, he will seek employment for 
which he has been trained, enter this 
work with enthusiasm and make for 
himself a respectable living. 

The work is made possible for those 
who are not going to college through a 
re-adjustment of the courses of study and 
re-writing of text-books. 

Small classes and male teachers of 
liberal training and experience give to 
the work continuity and definiteness of 
purpose unknown in many systems. 

Teachers and pupils are in mental 
attitude of the operatives of a great 
raihvay system. The train crew, flagmen, 
switchmen and all the officials know 
where each train is to be sent, what it 
needs to complete its journey, and unite 
in making the run successful. 

The second song which is being sung 
by our school children and some teachers 
is "The Sweet Bye and Bye." That is, 
Johnnie and Mary are not capable of 



earning a dollar today, but will be in 
the future. It can be seen that this 
deferred system of education where 
every one waives the parent and student 
on to some succeeding period of time, 
but with no definite guarantee as to 
what there is "over there" leads to 
hesitancy in entering certain lines of 
work, and creates a tendency to give 
up when the tasks })ecome arduous or 
the diflaculties many. 

Experience has taught those of the 
Association Institute that the features 
enumerated largely eliminate the.se un- 
fortunate tendencies. Boys who never 
attended school, except under protest, 
come gladly, and fairly glow over their 
work. Boys who l>alked at mathematics, 
as dry and uninteresting, now undertake 
this work with enthusiasm, as they see 
that no industrial progress is possible 
without such knowledge. The languages 
are studied as never before. Chemistry 
and physics have a new meaning, as each 
day brings a learner nearer independence 
and the ability to be self-sustaining. 
The little fellows in the grammar school 
are so enthusiastic over their vocational 
training that it is difficult to choke 
them off at the completion of the period 
as they want to keep "doing real things." 

Those of the old school will say that 
the cultural value is being sacrificed to 
the utilitarian, but we believe that such 
is not the case, for, while Greek and 
Latin may be insisted upon and acquired 
under protest, a less quantity taken 
voluntarily =? and correlated with those 
subjects, which will enable one to keep 
his stomach filled and his back covered, 
have a marked educational value and 
at the same time fit into one's plan of 
life. A system such as indicated, if 
operated by the public schools, would 
require a greatly increased expenditure 
of money for the teaching staff and 
equipment. It would ♦ require also the 
establishment of many new"" features, 
but that it is absolutely workable is 
our firm conviction. 



HOUSING SITUATION IN BOSTON 



EDWARD T. HARTMAN 

Secretary of the Massachusetts Civic League 



In its consideration of the housing 
question in the past, Boston has been 
academic. Certain investigations have 
been made, but they have covered 
only small territories in each case. 
Some fairly good reports have been 
based upon these investigations, but 
no action has resulted. The report by 
Professor D wight Porter in 1888 and 
the report of the Collins commission 
in 1904 ought, however, to have justified 
action; but the only results discoverable 
are that these reports may be found in 
most of the public and private libraries 
in the city. The present very inade- 
quate law is, as far as it applies to tene- 
ment houses, the results of the w^ork 
of a committee appointed by the Massa- 
chusetts Civic League in 1906. The 
legislature of 1907 enacted this law along 
with the remainder of the building law 
drafted by the commission appointed 
by Mayor Fitzgerald. It was said at 
the time that this law would prevent 
future building, but if anyone doubts 
that most serious housing conditions 
may be developed under it let them look 
at a building recently erected between 
Prince Street and Cleveland Place, or 
one at the corner of North Street and 
Bakers Alley. These are about as bad 
as anybody could think of building, 
regardless of law. 

The great difficulty in Boston is that 
the people are not interested. Beyond 
the mere academic interest mentioned, 
few people have any concern. Those 
who are in comfortable circumstances 
know very little about the conditions 
among the poor tenants, and the tenants 
themselves range from those who succeed 
in maintaining the most commendable 
cleanliness to those who live literally 
like hogs. Anyone doubting the accuracy 
of this statement might look at the 
second floor tenement in the wooden 
shack in the rear of 15 Sheaf e street or 
in any one of numerous places which 
might be pointed out in the North and 
West Ends. The concrete difficulty in 



the worst sections is that too few of the 
tenants care about the conditions in 
which they live and too few of the land- 
lords are willing to do their share. Where 
a landlord has careless and destructive 
tenants it is not his fault, but as a rule 
the negligent landlord and the careless 
tenant combined make our worst condi- 
tions. 

This leads to the question of whether 
the city can do anything to remedy these 
conditions. It can do something; but 
the people will eventually have to do it, 
or see that it is done. It will not do to 
elect officers, have them appoint sub- 
ordinates and then go about our own 
business. The people must know at 
all times what is being done, why it is 
done, whether it is right, and bring about 
remedies where anything is wrong. The 
Health Department would be able to 
do much more work if it were backed 
by a strong and manifest public opinion. 
If it does anything along right lines now, 
it comes into conflict with owners and 
tenants, often also with politicians; but 
it never comes in contact with the public 
who ought to be standing by it in its 
work. The board has for so long been 
subject to these negative influences that 
there is ground for question whether it 
can at the present time meet the very 
serious conditions which exist in many 
parts of the city. Antiquated methods, 
lack of sufficient number of inspectors 
and of sufficient money to properly 
develop the department effectually, pre- 
vent meeting the conditions as they now 
stand. 

Until the people of Boston take the 
housing question into their own hands 
to the extent at least of seeing that their 
officials are supported in enforcing reason- 
able regulations against both tenants and 
landlords, and until they still further help 
by educating the tenants so that they can 
see the evil results coming to them from 
the surroundings in which they live, we 
may not expect any great change. 

The Building Department will do all 



356 



LABOR PLANKS IN A CIVIC PLATFORM 



357 



it can under the present very weak law. 
Here the main need is to revise the law 
in the interests of the public, develop 
public opinion in support of a rigid in- 
terpretation of the law by the building 
commissioner, and then in some way 
bring it about that the law may not be 
broken down at many })oints by the 
Board of A})peal. The Board of Appeal 
at present sees only the economic side 
of the question. The public must realize 
that the economic value of houses de- 
pends upon whether or not people will 
live in them. This gives them, in spite 
of what any economist may say, a social 
significance. Until all parties concerned 
can come to appreciate both the economic 
and the social significance of the housing 



problem we shall not make satisfactory 
progress. 

The whole matter is at present tied 
up between indifference on the part of 
the public; ignorance, carelessness and 
sometimes maliciousness on the part of 
the tenants; a little too much politics 
in some of the official bodies; and all the 
way around a lack of proper appreciation 
of the real importance of the housing 
question in our social economy. Our 
churches are trying to cure immorality, 
our dispensaries and nurses to cure 
disease, and our charitable societies to 
cure poverty, while bad housing is allowed 
to manufacture all of these conditions 
much more rapidly than the present 
equipment can ever cure them. 



LABOR PLANKS IN A CIVIC PLATFORM 



PAUL U. KELLOGG 

Editor of The Survey 



We have heard a great deal about the 
abandoned farms of New England. The 
next fifty years will, we are told, see 
advances in intensive agriculture, in the 
application of chemistry to soils, in the 
development of a new fibre crop, which 
will make the acreage of these states 
again a great national asset. However 
that may be, there is warrant in history for 
believing that those fifty years will bring 
Massachusetts face to face with a great 
problem — that of the abandoned city^ — 
unless the inventive genius, the patri- 
otism, and the resources of this old Com- 
monwealth bend themselves to a greater 
constructive program, such as will over- 
come those back-set tendencies which 
have been the undoing of less enlightened 
peoples faced with a similar economic 
situation. 

There is, I believe, no area in the LTnited 
States today to compare with Eastern 
Massachusetts in the number of in- 
dustrial centers of first rank. That does 
not sound much like decadence. Yet 
there are two underlying factors which 
your most far-seeing men view with 
grave concern. One is that this great 



constellation of manufacturing centers 
is far removed from many of the sources 
of raw material. And the second is that 
there is a constant stream of New Eng- 
land capital going out to all parts of 
the country, and all parts of the world, 
for investment in quarters where, because 
of new sources of natural wealth and 
because of leaping real estate values, a 
greater return can be obtained in profits 
and interest. This tendency toward 
outside investment of the capital of a 
great industrial district is not a new one 
in history; in the past it has had but one 
result. It has meant the gradual dis- 
integration of the district from which 
the money has come and the upbuilding 
of the district to which it has flowed. 
This is what happened when manu- 
facture left the south of England for the 
north. It is what happened in the 
shifting of commercial supremacy from 
the mediaeval Mediterranean cities and 
from the old industrial centers of France. 
Can such a drift be checked and over- 
come in New England and by New Eng- 
land.^ I believe that it can. I do not 
believe that it can unless New England 



358 



NEW BOSTON 



develops what might be called an eco- 
nomic patriotism which will go beyond 
anything which has yet been manifested 
by business interests in any part of 
America, — which will in democratic 
ways, match the imperial statescraft 
which since the seventies has brought 
about an industrial revolution in Ger- 
many. If New England can do this, it 
will have made a greater contribution 
to the economic development of the 
world's resources than the Dutch did 
when they rescued the garden beds of 
Europe from the salt water of the North 
Sea. In a way the two problems are 
analogous. 

Capital will stay in New England if 
New England can keep her industries 
and can keep them prospering. There 
is probably no Aladdin's lamp by rubbing 
will bring ores or hides or cotton crop 
or iron or copper within easy reach. 
But there is one natural resource which 
New England has in greater measure 
and in finer quality than any other part 
of the country, that is, intelligent labor. 
When the manufacturer in the West or 
South wants craftsmanship in foreman 
or mechanic, he looks longingly to New 
England. When he wants a man who 
can read a blue print or run a thread to 
exactness he plans a raid on the machine 
shops of Worcester or Providence. The 
continuous mills which turn out the 
tonnage of the steel plants of Ohio 
Valley are many of them made in New 
England because workmanship and in- 
vention, rather than pig iron and coke, 
is what is needed to make them effective. 
I do not see how New England can keep 
her industries and keep them prospering 
by exploiting that natural resource — 
cutting wages, and lengthening hours 
and hiring cheaper unskilled labor in an 
effort to make up for her distance from 
mines and crops. That is 'not the way 
that she can permanently reduce labor 
cost. 

What is needed is a policy of labor 
conservation which will hold the massed 
skill here, which will recruit it in natural 
ways, and which will bar out the salt 
seas of inefficiency and disease and 
discord. 

If Boston develops such a policy in 
a^'rounded way in connection with her 
1915 movement, she will have the start 



of the rest of the country by from five 
to twenty -five years."* Such ' a policy 
and such a start would be more valuable 
to New England than all the patents 
taken out on Yankee mechanical in- 
vention in a decade. So far as self- 
preservation goes this is a property- 
holders fight. 

The capitalist can place his money 
elsewhere; the manufacturer can move 
his plant or open new ones (witness the 
Alabama cotton mills and Missouri shoe 
factories) ; the worker can go West. But 
all three have enough at stake in New 
England to want to make them, through 
self-interest, join forces with the common 
citizenship, if the call to their loyalty 
can break through thatl inertia which, 
save in times of great crises, muffles 
concerted public action. 

Civic and sanitary reform, the demo- 
cratization of universities and libraries 
and other cultural agencies are parts in 
such a program; they are part of the 
wages of life, and if New England can pay 
them in heaped up measure while new 
communities have little in these ways to 
offer. New England can keep her men. 
The improvement of industrial villages 
and the development of a Greater Boston 
are alike means to this end. 

Industrial education, not devised to 
break down the earnings of skilled men, 
but to thoroughly equip the next gen- 
eration and the immigrant to produce 
more effectively and earn not less but 
higher wages, are steps to this end. 
And here in her public industrial high 
schools New England is leading the 
country. 

"The brains of our working boys lie 
fallow,' ' said an English mill worker to 
me last month. He had himself, as a 
lad, to do his studying between four and 
five in the morning and after eight at 
night. "That sort of struggles cost 
England too much," was his verdict. 
We've gone ahead a long ways since the 
days when they worked growing boys 
thirteen and fourteen hours daily; but 
it's all foolishness to say that a work- 
man's son today has the same chance as 
a boy with means. And I believe that 
if you analyzed it closely, you would 
find that the latter, who benefits through 
the endowed chairs of a university like 
Harvard, is a bigger recipient of public 



LABOR PLANKS IN A CIVIC PLATFORM 



359 



bounty in his growing years, more 
wholly a dependent upon the surplus 
stored up by other men, than the wage- 
earner's boy who goes to the public 
schools and pays nothing for it. 

So I would consider movements look- 
ing toward industrial education, in- 
dustrial efficiency, the democratization 
of our cultural institutions, all parts 
of a plan of conservation of natural 
labor power; as distinctly so, as the 
building of upriver dams and storage 
reservoir, the reforestation of a denuded 
watershed, are parts of a program for 
the conservation of natural water power. 

But my point is that a popular move- 
ment like Boston-1915 does well in not 
limiting itself to civic reform and edu- 
cational progress. What is needed is 
not only a policy of labor conservation 
which will hold the massed skill here by 
making living conditions attractive, and 
which will recruit it in natural ways and 
develop its powers; but a policy which 
will bar out those industrial conditions 
which wear out, break down, and dis- 
hearten a labor force. Those are the 
salt seas against which dikes must be 
built up and guarded. My point is that 
a popular movement like Boston-1915 
does well not to limit itself to civic re- 
form and educational progress. What 
is needed are labor planks in your civic 
platform. 

My understanding is that the 1915 
movement embraces not only labor 
unions and civic leaders, but the phil- 
anthropic agencies — tuberculosis associ- 
ations, charitable societies, child labor 
organizations, hospitals and so on, those 
which care for the morally, physically, 
and economically sick and disabled, and 
those which the logical outcome of those 
who must care, promote movements 
to prevent misery and to create well 
being. 

Much of the demand upon their re- 
sources, whether it comes to them in the 
form of premature widowhood, or broken 
health, or inefficiency, or juvenile crime; 
whether they find it in a painter's 
poisoned blood, in a telephone girl's 
frazzled nerve cells, in the empty sleeve 
of a brakeman, or in the underfed child 
of an underpaid man, has the stamp of 
the workshop about it. Heredity, alco- 
holism, home environment, ignorance 



and many other forces, or secondary 
forces, no less than work conditions, 
enter in. But we are coming to see the 
increasing importance of industrial fac- 
tors in modern social life, not only as 
influential in themselves but as accentu- 
ating other influences and sometimes 
wholly dominating or perverting them. 
This is not because industry is antag- 
onistic to human nature; but because men 
and women are closely bound up in their 
work and dependent upon it for their 
everyday existence. 

With its co-operating agencies it is 
more than ever then incumbent upon 
Boston-1915 that it should tell law- 
makers and industrial leaders where 
lines must be drawn if the business 
world is not to throw back upon family 
and state burdens which would be seen 
to be exorbitant were they not scattered 
among a million households and among 
the budgets of a hundred types of charit- 
able institutions. 

It is scarcely possible that you could 
get agreement, all hands round, as to 
the standards which as a final goal 
should be secured. But I believe that 
there are certain minimum standards, 
on which common agreement can be 
reached, and below which no industry 
can go, without knowing that they 
offend as definitely as the' man offends 
who disobeys generally accepted rules 
of health or violates the ordinary canons 
of decency. 

For example, a working day which 
will give every wage-earner a chance to 
be a householder and a citizen, which 
will give him a chance to recoup the 
physical drains of his work; a working 
week which will give a man at least one 
day off in seven for his family and his 
town; a working year which will give a 
full year's income as a basis of livelihood 
— these are occupational standards of 
the sort which ultimately react upon the 
activities of every member of a commun- 
ity, which will determine whether the 
human basis of New England industries 
shall be destructive or shall be firm in 
elements of wholesome living. 

We in America have a new continent 
under our feet. You in New England 
have had the use of that continent for 
a longer period than West or South,'or 
Middle West. Is it too much to ask 



360 



NEW BOSTON 



for leadership from New England in 
this civic-economic field? You have 
reserves of wealth; you have intelligence 
in the rank and file; and you have in 
Boston-1915 a movement which em- 
braces educational and business and labor 
forces at work in society. The country 
as a whole, the generations to come — 
most of all, you yourselves — will be in 
your debt if you will draft and carry 
through a labor platform which shall 



set the standards below which New 
England industrial life must not sag, 
at peril of its future — standards of 
hours, of rest, of safety, of health, of 
restitution when the worker is killed or 
injured or diseased by his work, of 
current wages such as will sustain life 
amply. I believe it is the unescapable 
responsibility of a civic movement such 
as this to courageously formulate such 
a platform in public opinion and in law. 



BOSTON-1915 AND LABOR UNIONS 



EDWARD A. FILENE 



There is every reason why Boston- 
1915 and the labor unions should be 
working together with all their might. 
At the meeting where the Boston-1915 
movement was launched publicly, I 
said in explanation of our proposition: 

"After all, it means, largely, that it 
shall be possible for a willing worker 
earning an average wage, to live, him- 
self and his family, healthfully and 
comfortably; to bring up his children 
in good surroundings; to educate them 
so that they may be truly useful good 
citizens; and to lay aside enough to 
provide for himself and his wife in their 
old age. A city which provides less 
than that directly must make up for 
the deficiency in a more costly indirect 
way; there is no alternative." 

Now, frankly, when I said this I was 
not thinking of the wage-earners alone, 
but of the city as a w^hole. I was think- 
ing not simply of the unions, but of the 
entire community. And in the year and 
a half of Boston-1915's activity, I have 
found no better way to express its funda- 
mental idea. Yet I think you will 
agree that I could not have expressed 
labor's own hope, desires and ideas more 
definitely if I had tried to do that alone. 

It is self-evident, it seems to me, that 
if afman can't get a decent, healthful 
living for himself and his family, the 
community suffers just as much as do 
the man and his wife and children. It 
loses a good share of the efficiency he 



might have; it loses part of his value as 
a citizen; and it has to pay for hospitals 
and other institutions to patch him up 
physically and mentally and to patch 
up, if it can, some of the general evils 
bound to come from his bad condition. 
The bill for doing these things will be 
at least as big as it would have been 
for making conditions right in the be- 
ginning and then keeping them so. The 
chances are that it will be bigger and 
much harder to pay. 

The unions have long recognized this 
and have tried to do something about 
it. As far as they could go alone, they 
have succeeded admirably. But they 
have had great difficulty in getting the 
sj'mpathetic hearing they deserved in 
this respect, from men with whom they 
were having frequent clashes over other 
matters. That is only human nature; 
it is no different from the obstacles many 
other organizations have found facing 
them when they tackled the broad 
problem of general interest. 

Boston-1915 is trying to remove those 
obstacles by getting people together to 
work out these things for the common 
good that they can't work out alone. 
It does not want any organization to 
abandon its own special work, but there 
are certain things in which all organiza- 
tions are vitally interested — the things 
that make for the good of the city as a 
whole — andJ|^Boston-1915^brings them 
all together to work for those things 



BOSTON-1915 AND LABOR UNIONS 



361 



with the whole of their combined powers, 
regardless of what their attitude may be 
in other directions. In this movement 
of ours, each individual organization 
finds its power increased by having 
added to it at least part of the power — 
and sometimes, of course, the full power 
—of other groups of j^eople wdth whom 
it has been unable to get into co-opera- 
tion before. 

All contribute something, directly or 
incidentally, toward the realization of 
the plans of all the others. 

Among the common interests of 
Boston-1915 and labor, are some of 
the most important of the interests of 
the communit}^ as a whole. If you will 
help Boston-1915 and let Boston-191o 
help you in improving relations between 
employers and employees, for instance, 
you will be making the largest single 
contribution possible, as I see it, to the 
commercial and industrial development 
of Boston. If Boston could properly 
say that the relations between its em- 
ployers and their employees were twenty- 
five per cent better than any other city 
in the country could show — if it could 
guarantee that labor conditions were 
even ten per cent more stable here than 
in other places — it would offer an in- 
ducement for starting new industries 
and bringing outside capital here, far 
stronger than the proffer of free land, 
or of exemption from taxation, or other 
things which many communities depend 
upon as a bait to draw new industries. 
The result would be a greater and faster 
industrial and commercial growth than 
any other city has ever known. 

Organized labor and other organiza- 
tions have already done much to better 
the relations between the man who 
works and the man for whom he works. 
We are freer from serious labor troubles 
in Boston than are the people of most 
large cities. But there is still a good 
deal that might be done, and I suppose 
there is nobody who would be more 
glad to do it or benefit more by its 
results than labor itself. If it is to be 
well done, labor must have much co- 
operation and in turn must co-operate 
even more largely than in the past. 

The Chamber of Commerce is doing 
splendid work in increasing the commer- 
cial and industrial activities of the city, 



but it must fight against many disad- 
vantages. Our distance from the sources 
of raw materials, the expense of fuel, 
a still undeveloped transportation ser- 
vice and the failure to properly develop 
its dock facilities so as to encourage 
independent manufacturers and shipping, 
are some of Boston's more serious liandi- 
caps. But the unions can make up this 
lack in the way I just suggested. They 
can work with Boston-191.5 to assure 
the best possible labor conditions. 

If Boston suffers from some disadvan- 
tages, it has also certain special oppor- 
tunities to offset them. The workers 
of this city have long been known for 
their skill. We have renowned technical 
educational institutions, universities, col- 
leges, art museums and libraries, the 
finest equipment of any American city 
for developing the manufacture of the 
finest grades of goods. 

We should set about making Boston 
the Paris of America — the center of 
fine work. In addition to what we are 
making we should manufacture things 
whose value is not so much in the ma- 
terials from which they are made as in 
the perfection of the workmanship and 
the art and science that go into them. 
This kind of thing the United States 
imports in enormous quantities. This 
kind of thing pays the largest profits 
to the makers and with safety to the 
employer can be made to pay the highest 
wages to labor. We should make in 
Boston a great j^art of those things which 
the United States now imports. 

By co-operation with Boston-191o in 
this way, the unions not only will help 
the progress of the city but, in time, will 
become bodies of highly trained workers 
whose skill and art are so superior thai 
they will be protected by this fact 
against non-union competition. I mean 
that if union labor means labor more 
skilled than any other, it will from that 
fact alone shut out the competition of 
the great mass of unskilled labor. There 
will be no need then of the fight for the 
closed shop — a fight in which, in my 
opinion, final permanent victory is neither 
possible nor profitable to the unions. 

Nearly all the interests of Boston- 
1015 are gf great interest and imi)ortance 
to labor; and, in turn, nearly all of 
labor's interests are of great importance 



362 



NEW BOSTON 



*o the 1,200 other organizations asso- 
ciated in Boston-1915. 

Labor wants proper vocational educa- 
tion for itself and its children, to keep 
the highest opportunities really open 
to them. Every other one of the 1,200 
organizations ought to work with labor 
for that end. 

Labor will be greatly helped by a re- 
duction of the enormous waste of pre- 
ventable diseases and accidents. Every 
other one of the 1,200 other organizations 
will be helped if it helps strongly and 
definitely to prevent this waste. 

Labor wants to live in a decent, 
healthy home, with a garden of its own 
and a properly equipped public play- 
ground nearby for the children, and a 
schoolhouse or other public building 
in the neighborhood to provide a meeting 
place in the evening, or at other times. 
Every one of the 1,200 organizations 
in Boston-1915 will benefit itself in its 
work, directly as well as indirectly by 
aiding labor to attain this goal of good 
living. 

And so I might go on and show how 
each legitimate interest of any of the 
1,200 organizations in this great public 
movement is really the interest of every 
other, and can be helped by the common 
co-operation. But the fact is too self- 
evident to need further elaboration. 

The Boston-1915 movement is made 
up of 1,200 delegates from as many asso- 
ciations, clubs and organizations meeting 
as experts in conference groups formed 
within the lines of the special interests 
represented, to seek facts and co-operate 
for the common needs. Ten of these 
conferences were organized by Boston- 
1915, namely: education, health, work 
for youth, industrial and fine arts, 
charities and correction, city planning, 
civic organization, co-operative asso- 
ciations, women's clubs,** neighborhood 
work. Three other groups of interests, 
which already were specially organized, 
are represented in the Boston-1915 
directorate, namely, labor, business and 
religious bodies. In this way every 
important, legitimate organization in 
our city whose purpose includes 'the 
common good, is represented in the 
movement. 

The 1,200 delegates elect from their 
number eighty-five directors, who meet 



once a month to consider first steps 
and aid progress within time limits. 
An executive committee of one repre- 
sentative from each conference group 
meets for work at least once a week. 
A central office is provided sufficiently 
equipped to put into working order the 
approved plans, to give publicity to 
proposed measures, and to encourage, 
enlist and sustain co-operation in the 
accepted programs of the 1,200 con- 
stituent bodies. 

You see, this is only an enlargement, 
in a way, of the ideals of the Central 
Labor Union. When labor joined the 
Boston-1915 movement it entered into 
a federation with 1,200 other organiza- 
tions to support each other in all mutual 
interests that are for the common good. 
Boston-1915 is simply a union of prac- 
tically all the legitimate organizations 
in the city, labor unions and church 
unions, health and educational unions, 
and many more. 

It tries to help them all in their own 
special, just desires, but its most important 
function, since there is no other body 
to perform it, is to help them all in their 
common interests from which they have 
too long stood apart. Already the plan 
is bearing fruit, not alone in things done 
in the name of Boston-1915, but in much 
broader ways. The spirit of mutual help 
you and we are trying to apply is spread- 
ing rapidly because it is based on the 
broadest self-interest. 

Boston-1915 does not expect to per- 
form miracles any more than do the 
unions. But it does try to apply to the 
activities of the city what is applied to 
every well-managed organization or fac- 
tory or shop. It wants to have all the 
departments, so to speak, working in 
close co-operation, so that results may 
be produced most quickly, economically 
and satisfactorily. 

The unions will find in Boston-1915 
a valuable ally for every undertaking 
that is for the benefit of the community 
at large, as well as for themselves. 
They will find in Boston-1915 a means 
for closer approach to the other organized 
interests of the city than they can find 
in any other way. Taking advantage 
of this, they can do much to spread a 
better understanding of what they are 
trying to do and can make more rapid 



BOSTON-1915 AND LABOR UNIONS 



363 



jeadway in correcting some of the mis- 
understandings, misrepresentations and 
internal weaknesses from which the 
just cause of labor has suffered. By 
means of Boston-1915 labor can most 
easily spread abroad an adequate un- 
derstanding of the needs of the working- 
man and of his social as well as economic 
importance. 

What Boston-1915 can do for working- 
men might well be tested by the aid it 
can give to the proposition recently set 
forth by the Central Labor Union for 
the establishment of a state depart- 
ment of labor. If this is a proposition 
good for the whole community — as I 
believe it is — we should have a right to 
expect the hearty co-operation of all 
those working through Boston-1915 and 
especially the churches. For instance, in 
the meetings of the national council of 
the Congregational denomination held in 
Boston last month — I refer to this 
particular body only because it is the 
one that has spoken most recently — the 
committee on industrial resolutions said, 
among other things, in the course of its 
report: 

"We deem it the duty of all Christian 
people to concern themselves directly 
with certain practical industrial problems. 
To us it seems that the churches must 
stand for a living wage as a minimum 
in every industry and for the highest 
wage that each industry can afford; for 
the most equitable division of the pro- 
ducts of industry that can ultimately 
be devised; for the gradual and reason- 
able reduction of the hours of labor to 
the lowest practicable point, and for 
that degree of leisure for all, which is a 
condition of the highest human life; for 
the release from employment one day 
in seven and, wherever possible, on the 
Sabbath; for the right of workers to 
some protection against the hardships 
often resulting from the swift crises of 
industrial change; for suitable provision 
of the old age of workers and those in- 
capacitated by injury; for the protec- 
tion of the worker from dangerous ma- 
chinery, occupational disease, injuries 
and the mortality; for the principle of 
conciliation and arbitration in industrial 
dissensions, for the abolition of child 
labor" — and there were several other 
similar items. 



Labor can help the Boston-1915 move- 
ment and itself powerfully by giving its 
support to the general plans for improve- 
ment for the city at large. 

One of Boston-1915's purposes is to 
stir the feeling of responsibility in every 
citizen. We are too apt to lay the blame 
for not having some things, and having 
to put up with others, on municipal 
mismanagement, on bad government or 
bad laws, and forget that we are our- 
selves responsible for those bad con- 
ditions. We give great credit to the com- 
munity that does anything good, that 
rebels and insists on having what it 
wants and ought to have, but we do not 
sufficiently censure the community that 
weakly submits to bad conditions or 
allows itself to be swindled or deprived 
of its rights. The responsibility belongs 
ultimately on the average voter, and 
every man who casts a ballot earns his 
share of blame or praise for the resulting 
conditions. 

liabor has been so hard pressed in the 
past that the workingman has felt 
obliged to vote, when he voted as a 
workman, with first consideration for 
legislation that would repair injuries or 
remove undue burdens. Whether or 
or not we like to face it, the fact is, as 
we all know, that the men who are in 
the employ of someone, outnumber many 
times over the men who employ them. 
So the power for good or evil lies in their 
hands. It is the workingman to whom 
the city must look finally for its better- 
ment. And, now that he is beginning 
to get into shape the fair disposition '.>! 
his labor, he may fairly be called upon 
to take up with the same energy and 
intelligence the fair disposition of his 
free hours. He has helped to improve 
factory conditions; let him help in im- 
proving housing conditions. He has 
insisted that he be given ndequate fa- 
cilities for earning a just wage; let him 
now help to make better his facilities 
for recreation, for education, for helpful 
living. 

The workingman can be the most 
powerful ally of Boston-1915 in all it 
may try to do to make this city of ours 
better and finer and more prosperous — 
a better })lace in which lo live and work. 

Boston-1915 is the most practical — 
and, if looked at with an open mind, the 



364 



NEW BOSTON 



simplest existing organized effort to 
change the disorganized, comparatively 
feeble civic good will of the average man 
to an organized, victorious force. Al- 
ready it is the greatest efficient union 
for co-operative democratic community 
effort that the world has ever seen. I 
speak advisedly and challenge anyone 
to disprove the statement. 

While we have been glad of your par- 
ticipation hitherto, we now ask from you, 
as we ask from other organizations, a 
closer study of the possibilities of this 
movement for the common good and 
an even more active support of its work. 
The test of our democracy is, largely, 
that it shall produce just conditions of 
living and working that are a real vital 
force and a basis for joy in work or, as 
the Central Labor Union's resolutions 
have put it, "help make the conditions 
of the wage-earners of the state a source 
of contentment rather than discontent." 

I believe that the world's greatest 
progressive force lies in work done under 



just and proper conditions. Out of the 
ranks of workingmen under such condi- 
tions will come not only good and con- 
tented workers and citizens, but many 
of the future captains of industry, many 
of the great men of the nation. Ten 
years ago, before a great meeting at 
Philadelphia, I voiced this thought by 
telling how to make a poet: 

"First get a good piece of land; build 
a factory upon it; govern it wisely — 
that is, with knowledge plus sympathy; 
make it a business success; make con- 
ditions just; and then more just; and 
then more just; and one of these sons 
of one of the workers will be a poet." 

The real poets of our democracy, the 
real power of our triumphant city and 
country, will be in and from the ranks 
of contented men working under just 
conditions and with the doors of oppor- 
tunity always open to them. To help 
attain these conditions, 1,200 organiza- 
tions have come together in Boston-1915. 



SAVINGS BANKS INSURANCE 



HAEEY W. KIMBALL 

Field Secretary Massachusetts Savings Insurance League 



Throughout Massachusetts about three 
years ago, much interest was aroused by 
a proposed law under which savings 
banks might open insurance depart- 
ments. Those who were interested in 
the endeavor to have such a law passed, 
felt that the industrial insurance com- 
panies doing business in this state had 
made life insurance too costly for the 
working people and that an opportunity 
ought to be afforded to obtain this pro- 
tection as nearly as possible at actual 
cost. After the passage of the law, 
which was simply permissive, two sav- 
ings banks opened insurance de])art- 
ments- — the Whitman Savings Bank of 
Whitman and the People's Savings Bank 
of Brockton. While many thought that 
nothing would result from the passage 
of the law, the actvial fact is that these 
banks have, in two years, written over 
a million and a half of insurance and 



about $1,400,000 is in force at the present 
time. A dividend of eight and one-third 
per cent was declared at the end of the 
first year, and through the establish- 
ment of agencies among large employers 
of labor, steady jjrogress month by month 
is being made. 

A report issued by the Insurance De- 
partment of the People's Savings Bank 
of Brockton covering receipts for the 
month of October, 1910, shows that 
during that month there was received 
from the policy holders as premiums 
$2,900.40 as against $2,075.12 for the 
month of October, 1909 — that is a gain 
of forty-two per cent. The report of the 
Insurance Department of the Whitman 
Savings l3ank shows premium receipts 
during October, 1910, of $3,456.59 as 
against $1,975.46 for October, 1909— 
a gain of more than seventy-four per 
cent. 



THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND 
CIVIC BETTERMENT 



Mgr. MICHAEL J. SPLAINE 



My first duty is to express the regret 
of His Grace, the Archbishop of Boston, 
that his official duties do not permit him 
to state personally his well-known in- 
terest in everything that has as its aim 
the spiritual, moral and material welfare 
of the city of Boston. The efforts of 
the archbishop alone for the betterment 
of this community are gigantic and have 
caused the country at large to look to 
Boston for guidance, initiative and ex- 
ample in those higher and broader 
fields of endeavor that bring to a city 
its true betterment and its lasting re- 
nown. The archbishop has given his 
time and talent to promote better feeling 
and understanding among the different 
classes that make up our city. He has 
endeavored to break down old barriers 
that were deeply rooted in petty bigotry 
and lying tradition and in their place 
to cement friendships on a foundation 
of mutual understanding and sincere 
good will. It is better than riches that 
men should live in peace with their 
neighbors: "xVll men as brothers is bet- 
ter than gold," and therefore the arch- 
bishop has contributed generously to 
the welfare of this city by promoting 
peace and good will among its citizens 
under the banner of Him who is the 
Prince of Peace. 

At the outset it must be clearly stated 
that to bring about a model city all our 
efforts, if we wish them to endure, must 
begin under God. They must be con- 
tinued with a constant sense of our final 
accountability to Him, who in His own 
time and way will complete the work 
which we begin and crown it with sure 
and lasting success. For "Unless the 
Lord build the house, they labor in vain 
who build it. Unless the Lord keep the 
city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth 
it." Deeply" conscious of the truth of 
this divine admonition, the Catholic 
Church of Boston, under the splendid 
leadership of our archbishop, is putting 
forth its best efforts along spiritual, 
educational and charitable lines, so that 



step by step with the material, economic 
and industrial development of our city, 
there is going on a sweet influence of 
religious reverence and Christian sym- 
pathy to sanctify the labors of men, to 
chasten their motives and to bring down 
upon this city the blessings of God in 
whose hands alone it is to give success to 
our deliberations and perpetuity to our 
achievements. 

It is quite fitting, therefore, and a 
splendid manifestation of the keen judg- 
ment of the directors of this 1915 move- 
ment, that at this final rally, wherein 
all the efforts of the previous meetings 
are to be crystallized into some tangible 
plan for hastening the dawn of an ideal 
city, a representative of the Catholic 
Church should be asked to speak, not 
any message of his own, but from out 
the storehouse of the church's centuries 
of experience and knowledge to point 
out what she teaches are the elements 
that go to constitute a true and God-like 
city. For the Catholic Church has sat 
by the cradle of the cities and civiliza- 
tions. She has seen them rise succes- 
sively to heights of which we have not 
as yet dreamed, and she has seen them 
crumble and decay till naught but shape- 
less ruins mark the places where human 
efforts tried to build enduring monuments 
to the pride of men who took not God 
nor morality into their deliberations. 
It is altogether fitting, therefore, that we 
should listen to the voice of the oldest 
of existing institutions and one that we 
know according to God's i)romise shall 
last till the end of time, when we j)lan to 
build up an ideal city. 

Material betterment will help much 
toward the perfection of a city, but it 
must not be the end and object of our 
endeavors. Material betterment is only 
a means to the end. True betterment 
must look beneath the surface of tilings. 
It must look beyond the mere material 
better housing of the people. It must 
look beyond the mere external neatness 
that is encouraged in the person, the 



365 



366 



NEW BOSTON 



home, the shops and the thoroughfares. 
True betterment must penetrate to the 
very heart of things and not rest until it 
reaches the sources from which our 
thoughts and actions spring. Man's 
conscience must be quickened and at- 
tuned to the laws that God has given and 
by which men shall live. True better- 
ment of a city must aim first at the bet- 
terment of the individuals who compose 
it, and the true betterment of the in- 
dividual demands that the human mind 
be illumined by divine truth to know its 
first and necessary duties and obliga- 
tions, and it demands that the human 
heart be attuned to the divine will of 
God to fulfil those duties and obligations. 
Man's true betterment can only consist 
in his verifying in his life and conduct 
the full measure of service for which 
in the mind of God he was created. 
Mere material betterment may produce 
a well-fed man, in a comfortable home 
with a lucrative occupation, but, precious 
and desirable as these material blessings 
may be, unless at the same time he has 
become a God-fearing, God-loving man, 
creating a Christ-like, sacred home, 
pursuing an honest honorable occupation, 
all mere material betterment will make 
him little better than a whitened sepul- 
chre and hasten on a refined pagan 
state, which is always the forerunner of 
final corruption and decay. 

The Catholic' Church in Boston, there- 
fore, side by side with the material bet- 
terment, which she also encourages and 
promotes, is working steadfastly for the 
true betterment of the city and her 
citizens, by lifting their lives above the 
mere material and temporal and center- 
ing their thoughts and affections upon the 
things that are spiritual and eternal. 
Satisfy to the full, she says to her chil- 
dren, every lofty, every noble ambition 
that God has placed within your bosom. 
Develop your talents to their fullest 
measure in the various works to which 



God has called you, but pause betimes 
and consider that this life cannot go 
on forever, and while you pursue the 
duties of this life that is temporal do 
not loose your grasp upon the life that 
is eternal. 

The Catholic Church then in Boston, 
just as in every corner of the globe, and 
not now merely, nor only in 1915, but 
from the day that Christ commissioned 
her to teach the nations until the end of 
time, is the best adviser and champion 
of all true and lasting betterment, be- 
cause she is the mother of civilization 
and the guardian of Christ's teaching to 
men. True to her lofty mission she, here 
in Boston, takes her place in the van- 
guard of those who honestly and sin- 
cerely seek the true betterment of our 
city. Her beautiful churches dot every 
section of this city where human hearts 
throb lovingly together under God. 
Her well-equipped schools are busy 
centers of training and education, and 
these represent the love of Catholic 
parents and the financial sacrifice they 
cheerfully make to secure for their 
children an education of mind and heart 
under God. Hospitals, houses of refuge, 
homes, asylums and nurseries that are 
inspired and supported exclusively by 
the Catholic Church in Boston amply 
attest what the church is doing for the 
betterment of this city without ever 
asking one cent of recompense in return. 
Who, except the recording angel, can 
measure the infinite aid given to better 
thousands of our citizens and make their 
lives and homes and labors happier and 
sweeter, in the safe, conservative and 
redeeming lessons and graces that flow 
daily from the Catholic pulpit and con- 
fessional.'^ The Catholic Church has 
long been doing her full share to better 
this city and the lives of her citizens, and 
she will not now fail or falter in her en- 
deavor to make this the city beautiful, 
the city of God, the city set upon a hill. 





AUDITORIUM INTERIOR 



A MONUMENT TO PUBLIC SPIRIT 



In few American municipalities have 
the citizens themselves raised a more 
remarkable monument to their public 
spirit than have the people of Saint Paul, 
in building and presenting to the city 
one of the finest auditorium buildings 
in the world, seating 6,000 more people 
than the New York Hippodrome, and 
9,481 square feet larger in base area and 
seating 2,200 more people than the Madi- 
son Square Garden. Now that the 
auditorium is completed and has proved 
its exceptional adequacy for the purposes 
to which it is devoted, it has become an 
object of especial satisfaction and pride 
to all the thousands who, moved by 
generous ambition for a greater and bet- 
ter city, gave so freely towards its erec- 
tion. 

The structure was conceived in April, 
1905. On the eleventh of December 
of the same year the first contract was 



awarded and operations on a convenient 
site, already purchased, were commenced. 
The April agitation for the erection of 
a suitable building was a spontaneous 
revival of the old-time demand for a 
"town hall" of suitable proportions 
and consequence to entertain fittingly 
visiting conventions. In May a com- 
mittee of eleven was chosen to erect a 
building, with Phil AV. Herzog at the 
head. No more competent manager 
was ever selected for the onerous work 
of raising funds and vivifying the pro- 
ject with life and thorough business 
sense. 

"This building is to be built at once," 
Mr. Herzog announced, and he suffered 
no bending of his will. He collected 
around him the best men in the city, 
organized the project as he would have 
handled the management of a huge 
business project and on July 10 a mass 



S67 



368 



NEW BOSTON 




BANQUET ROOM IN THE AUDITORIUM 



meeting was called in the City Council 
chambers and the plan tersely put be- 
fore the people of the city. When the 
doors closed that night $46,400 had 
been subscribed and people were every- 
where hunting for their check books. 
Within a few days more than $150,000 
had been subscribed. In early Sep- 
tember, with more than $200,000 sub- 
scribed, the committee selected a site. 
Contracts were awarded, the building 
was erected, and on its completion was 
turned over to the city of Saint Paul as 
an edifice belonging to the public forever. 
The first opportunity the people of 
the city had of viewing the beautiful 
structure came on the night of the 
opening ball, on the anniversary of the 
beginning of the auditorium movement, 
when 2,000 couples occupied the stage 
at the same time, and 10,000 people 
looked on. Many months later, when 
Saint Paul entertained Secretary Taft, 
2,000 people sat down on the stage 
to dinner in honor of the famous guest. 
Through the great arches opening from 



the street to the stage, four-horse tally-ho 
coaches loaded with people are fre- 
quently driven, and during the early 
months of the present year a full-fledged 
circus and wild west show, complete in 
every detail, with rings, aerial artists, 
troops of horses and all the usual circus 
features, gave performance after per- 
formance on the huge stage, and was 
not hampered in the least for space. On 
several occasions 10,000 people have been 
seated in the building at the same time, 
for the enjoyment of various spectacles. 
A battalion of infantry can manoeuver 
on the stage with room to spare. 

The Saint Paul Auditorium is an ob- 
long structure, 181 feet in width and 301 
feet in length, having an average height 
of seventy-one feet. It is designed in 
the modern Italian renaissance style. 
The facades are extremely simple and 
dignified, and a very pleasing effect has 
been secured by the use of dark golden 
brown brick, with trimmings of terra 
cotta in the same color. All glazing 
throughout the building is of green and 



THE RIVERBANK SUBWAY 



369 



opal [tinted] glass, and all exposed wood- 
work is treated with a dark mahogany 
stain. On each side of the building are 
beautiful arcades, facilitating entry and 
exit, each 300 feet long, thirteen feet 
wide and eighteen feet high, with a 
barrel arch broken by pilasters and arch 
ribs every fifteen feet. Each is illum- 
inated by fifty incandescent lights from 
sixteen graceful chandeliers. 

The remarkable flexibility of the struc- 
ture, which was secured by methods 
which were used in Saint Paul for the 
first time and have been patented, 
makes it possible in fifteen minutes to 
transform the huge hall with its enormous 
stage, a public gathering place seating 
10,000, into a cozy theater seating 3,200 
people. The theater occupies approx- 
imately one-third of the length of the 
building. Along the side walls are boxes, 
which with the balcony seats above them 
are constructed on huge steel frames 
skillfully concealed. These great frames, 
pivoted on the ends reaching to the rear 
of the theater, swing inward at will, 
and the effect is as if great sections of 
the side walls had suddenly been moved 
entire, carrying with them boxes and 
balcony seats. As the hinged box- 
sections swing inward, the proscenium 
arch drops downward from concealed 
recesses in the ceiling, a velvet curtain 
falls and the building is a beautifully 
appointed theater, with all of the great 
stage except the footlights hidden from 
view. Scenery is shifted into place and 
in a few seconds the theater is ready for 
use, although back of the last stage prop- 
erties there remains almost the whole of 
the stage, vacant and unused and large 
enough for a baseball diamond. 

From the footlights to the far end of the 
stage, comfortable boxes occupy the side- 



walls. In a few moments these are 
fitted with movable screen walls and 
partitions and become private dressing 
rooms, excellently lighted, with hot and 
cold water and every convenience. 

Used as an auditorium for especially 
large gatherings, the box-sections are 
again moved back into place, the pros- 
cenium arch disappears into the ceiling, 
the scenery is lifted into lofts far above, 
and the building viewed from the inside 
is a huge rectangle with theater balconies 
and parquet seats in front, with long 
side balconies at the right and left ex- 
tending the entire length of the building, 
under which are boxes. At the far end 
of the building a balcony from side to 
side surmounts immense arches through 
which trucks loaded with scenery are 
driven from the street to the stage 
and unloaded before the footlights. From 
the footlights to the farthest row of 
theater seats is a distance of 160 feet. 

The entire structure is absolutely 
fireproof. It is built entirely of steel, brick 
and concrete, and there is nothing which 
could burn except the little woodwork and 
whatever scenery the building happens to 
contain. The main floor is of concrete, 
built to sustain 1,000 pounds to the 
square foot. 

The entrances to the building, a dozen 
in number, open upon a wide lobby, 
from which a dozen doors lead to a beauti- 
ful foyer shut off from the theater by 
swinging doors. From the lobby, wide 
and graceful staircases lead upward to 
the first balcony floor, on which is lo- 
cated a banquet room, with convenient 
cloak and retiring rooms at either end. 
Other staircases lead to the second 
balcony above. Underneath the foyer 
are lounging rooms and lavatories, well 
appointed and simply and effectively 
decorated. 



THE RIVERBANK SUBWAY 



MARCH G. BENNETT 



The Riverbank Subway was proposed 
and advocated by public-spirited citizens 
wholly for the purpose of securing real 
rapid transit through a part of the city 
where it was most needed, and at the 
lowest cost. When the plan was first 



proposed in 1905, by William B. Richards 
the congestion on Boylston street had 
already made rapid transit impossible 
during the rush hours, and this plan 
promised at first sight to be the quickest 
and most economical relief. Neverthe- 



370 



NEW BOSTON 



less, the Legislature felt that no action 
should be taken without full inquiry and 
they therefore passed a resolve directing 
the Boston Transit Commission to "in- 
quire into the subject of the further 
development of the subway systems of 
the city of Boston; the most advisable 
routes; whether further subways are 
necessary or desirable at the present 
time, or will be in the immediate future; 
. and such other details as said 
commission may consider necessary and 
relevant;" . . , and to report to the 
next Legislature. 

The Boston Transit Commission had 
built all of our subways and had been 
studying the transit problem for years. 
The resolve, as will be seen, covered 
the whole field of subway extension, 
and in 1906 the commission submitted 
a report (House Document No. 896) in 
which the conclusion was reached that 
further subway construction for westward 
traffic was urgently needed, and the 
commission recommended that "without 
delay" the Boylston street subway be 
extended to Copley Square, or possibly 
to Exeter street, and that an entirely 
new subway be constructed from the 
junction of Beacon street and Com- 
monwealth avenue to Park street, sug- 
gesting as possible routes Common- 
wealth avenue, the Riverbank or some 
street between that and Boylston street. 

No action was taken during 1906, be- 
cause the Cambridge Subway legislation 
consumed the committee's time, but 
in 1907 a bill was submitted by George 
B. Upham, who was the first secretary 
of the original Transit Commission, pro- 
viding for the construction of the River- 
bank Subway. As soon as the report 
was published, in 1906, the residents of 
Commonwealth avenue organized in pro- 
test against the building of a subway 
through the middle of that avenue, 
which they felt would destroy the trees 
and the beauty of the parkway, and in 
support of their protest they offered 
constitutional objections based upon the 
nature of the titles to the lands. The 
friends of Boston Common and the Pub- 
lic Garden prepared to resist this plan 
to the last, because it involved subway 
construction directly through the middle 
of both of these parks, and the probable 
destruction of a great many beautiful 



old trees. This opposition was so strong 
that it was apparent that it was not 
practicable to select that route. The 
route next suggested was the Riverbank, 
which proved to have more arguments 
in its favor than the Commonwealth 
avenue route, or than any other subway 
ever proposed. It was almost as direct 
as the Commonwealth avenue route, 
and its construction was much more 
simple and inexpensive. It passed un- 
der the parkway for most of the dis- 
tance, and under Beacon Hill for the 
remainder, without interfering with trees 
or inflicting damages upon abutting 
property. It should have been built 
immediately, but the Boston Elevated 
Railway Company would not consent, 
giving the threatened panic as a reason, 
although when the act was passed, 
the company was relieved by it of the 
construction of a subway more than five 
times as costly, east of Washington 
street. The company still desires to 
postpone construction, and has only 
consented to it with great reluctance, 
after almost four years of putting it off. 

The Boylston street extension recom- 
mended by the commission was not 
ordered, because the commission and the 
railroad company decided, after the pub- 
lication of the report, to change the 
terminus of the Cambridge Subway from 
Scollay Square to Park street so as to pre- 
pare for an extension to the South Station 
and to accommodate the Cambridge 
travel, which desired to reach the central 
shopping district. It was felt that this 
change, together with the Riverbank 
Subway would relieve Boylston street 
for many years to come, and that the 
Boylston street merchants would really 
be better off to still have the surface cars 
passing their handsome shop windows. 
Li advocating the Riverbank Subway, 
its sponsors had in mind all the advan- 
tages, direct and collateral, which would 
flow from it. A few of these follow: 

It solves for all time the old and 
irritating question of preserving Boston 
Common from further encroachment. 
The Common is an object of proper and 
reverential devotion to the citizens, but 
it is a barrier to traffic, and many schemes 
for overcoming this have been over- 
whelmed by violent opposition. One 
of them proposed the extension of 



THE RIVERBANK SUBWAY 



371 



Columbus avenue tlirough the Common 
and by a tunnel under Beacon Hill to the 
North Station. The Riverbank Subway 
leaves Park street below the grade of the 
present subway tracks and in the same 
tube with the Cambridge Subway, which 
dives immediately into the hill. At 
Chestnut street it diverges and follows 
the line of that street to the Riverbank, 
thence straight to the outlet on Beacon 
street, forming an almost direct line for 
express traffic, and completely cutting 
the transit knot without injury to the 
Common. 

The cost of construction would be very 
low. The outside estimate is that pub- 
lished in the recent advertisements of 
the Boston Elevated Railway Company, 
i. e., $3,000,000. The Washington street 
tunnel cost about $12,000,000 and is 
about one-third shorter than the pro- 
posed Riverbank. The most expensive 
items of cost on our subway construction 
are the removal and relocation of the 
network of sewers, water mains, gas and 
other pipes, conduits, etc., which fill 
our streets below the surface; the re- 
moval of the pavement and its restora- 
tion; the construction and maintenance 
of the temporary wooden street surface 
for traffic; and the shoring up and after- 
ward permanently sustaining the founda- 
tions of the buildings along the whole 
line. The Riverbank Subway will be 
practically entirely free from all of these 
expenses. It will be so far underground 
where it passes under Beacon Hill that 
it will not interfere w'ith foundations 
nor disturb pipes and sewers, and there 
will be no buildings to sustain or streets 
to be maintained and renewed except 
possibly for a few hundred yards at the 
foot of Chestnut street. It will meet 
with none of these obstructions through- 
out its whole course under the parkway, 
which is new land containing one large 
marginal sewer with feeders all on the 
same level and at known and regular 
intervals. It will be, therefore, the 
cheapest subway ever built, irrespective 
of length, and infinitely cheaper per mile. 

It can be quickly built. The boring 
through the hill is easy and rapid, as 
the Cambridge Subway Tunnel has 
shown, and the remainder of the route 
is straight digging. 

This is a very important item, because 



almost five years have passed since the 
Boston Transit Commisssion found that 
conditions called for the immediate 
construction of this line, and these con- 
ditions have constantly grown worse. 
No other subway could possibly be so 
quickly constructed. It would take sev- 
eral years to make the survey and plans 
and get ready to make contracts for any 
other subway, and everything is now 
ready to begin work upon the Riverbank. 

It gives real rapid transit to the dis- 
trict that vitally needs it. The whole 
western territory of Brookline, Brighton, 
Newton, Watertown, parts of Cambridge, 
and the communities beyond need this 
quick transit for their proper develop- 
ment, and what they recjuire is fast 
service to the center of the city. If they 
wish to shop on Boylston street, they 
can transfer at Massachusetts avenue 
to local cars, as they would also be 
obliged to do if the express service were 
down Boylston street. If the people 
of the sections above mentioned ap- 
preciate what this subway means to 
them in speed and in quickness of con- 
struction, they will loudly demand its 
immediate construction. 

Here, then, we have a subwaj^ that 
has been carefully thought out and 
planned. It is the only one of all of our 
subways that really has been authorized 
only after investigation by an expert 
board. It is the cheapest subway of 
all, and can be built the most quickly. 
After waiting five years to bring this 
subway to the point of actually com- 
mencing construction, what a ridiculous 
thing it would be to abandon or post- 
pone it at the behest of a few interested 
people who offer an uninvestigated sub- 
stitute situated only a few blocks away! 

For it is impossible to discuss the 
Riverbank Subway in this magazine 
without noticing Mr. Griffin's article 
in the last issue of NEW BOSTON 
about the proposed Boylston street 
Subway, which contains many amazing 
statements and j'et is most amazing for 
what it oes not say. For instance, he 
utterly iails to tell what his proposed 
subway would cost, and probably for the 
good reason that he does not know, be- 
cause no real plans or surveys have been 
made for it. It is merely the hastily 
sketched plan of an engineer hired for the 



372 



NEW BOSTON 



purpose by his association. It is cer- 
tain that it would cost many miUions 
more than the Riverbank, and in ad- 
dition would carry damages to abutters, 
which the Riverbank does not. Mr. 
Griffin says that the Riverbank is esti- 
mated to cost $3,700,000, but this is 
$700,000 higher than the highest esti- 
mate. He further says that the greater 
cost would be in damages to property, 
and that "estimates on this item that I 
have received vary from $6,000,000 to 
$8,000,000." This is absurd, because 
no question of damages has been raised 
in connection with the Riverbank 
and on account of its character, none 
seriously can be raised. His claim 
that Boylston street is a principal 
highway entirely ignores the fact that 
Boylston street is only half a street, 
one side being permanently dedicated 
to parks for a large part of its length, and 
beyond that the block occupied by the 
Technology and Natural History build- 
ings is out of commerce, while upon the 
other side Copley Square and various 
public and semi-public buildings, and 
the yard of the Boston and Albany 
Railroad prevent development. He over- 
looks the fact that Boylston street is not 
the direct line, and that the cars destined 
for the Riverbank would never have run 
on Boylston street except for the pres- 
ence of the Common and the necessity 
for going around it, which the Riverbank 
Subway overcomes. In his plan (which 
he naively admits does not show the Riv- 
erbank Subway, for reasons unexplained 
by him but which will be obvious to 
everyone who desires a really direct 
rapid transit route) he shows a line 
that has an ultimate conclusion at 
Park street, in spite of his belief that 
it doesn't go there. His connection 
with the South Station will not, I 
fear, be appreciated by those who 
really desire to go there promptly and 
comfortably, while the Riverbank will 
be a part of the Cambridge line that will 
ultimately be continued — and it now 
appears probable that this will be done 
very soon — down under Winter and 
Summer streets directly to the station 
and beyond to South Boston and Dor- 
chester. This whole development was in 
the minds of the advocates of the River- 
bank Subway, and they so stated at the 



hearings. Such being the case, no post- 
ponement of this really well-devised and 
partly executed project — for all of the 
preliminary work has been done, bonds 
have been voted, and many thousands of 
dollars already spent against these bonds 
— should be considered on account of 
the superficially prepared project of an 
organization which frankly admits being 
actuated by a desire to enhance the 
value of its real estate. The Chamber 
of Commerce Committee on Public 
Utilities, in its report upon this situation, 
said: * 

"We have been asked from time to time to 
recommend that the chamber favor various ad- 
ditions to, or changes in, the existing electric 
transportation facilities of the city. Usually the 
addition or change has been urged by persons who 
wished thereby to advance the business or real 
estate interests of a particular district — e. g. the 
West End or Boylston street — in which they held 
investments. To the careful consideration of 
these requests your Committee on Public Utilities 
has devoted much time, but with a steadily growing 
conviction that while the interests of a particular 
district are entitled to serious consideration, the 
transportation problem ought to be considered 
in a broader way, and with a view to devising and 
providing the system of transportation which will 
best serve the requirements and convenience of 
the whoe metropolitan district." 

The Riverbank Subway is, as stated 
before, the only one that has been con- 
sidered in this broad way, and by our 
commission of experts. It is now ready 
to begin, and any other plans would 
mean a delay of three or foin* years longer. 
The public should not be imposed upon 
in this way, nor should the company be 
given fiu'ther excuse for delay. 



*Lest someone should say that the Chamber of 
Commerce amended its committee's report and by 
inference favored postponing the Riverbank Sub- 
way, let me add that the Riverbank question was 
not properly before the meeting. The notices of 
the meeting stated that the Boylston street plan 
and the West End loop would be considered, and 
the sponsors for these plans were out in force, in 
person and by their attorneys, who addressed the 
meeting, while the friends of the Riverbank plan 
had no warning, no organization, and — no attorneys. 
The vote was taken at 5 Ao, and a majority of those 
still remaining in the room belonged in the Boylston 
street and West End groups, most of the members 
of the chamber who were not personally interested 
having gone home. Only about 150 members, out 
of the over 4,000 in the chamber, were present when 
the vote was taken. 



BO^TOiN 






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NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



JANUARY, 1911 



No. 9 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 373 

BOSTON-1915 IN 1911 373 

NEIGHBORHOOD CONFERENCE PROGRESS 373 

TO STUDY BOSTON'S PLAYGROUNDS 374 

AN ENLARGED PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 374 

FRAUDULENT CHARITIES 374 

DENISON HOUSE ACTIVITIES 374 

A SCHOOLBOY'S STADIUM 375 

BOSTON'S GARBAGE PROBLEM Louis K. Rourke 375 

INDUSTRIAL BLIND ALLEYS Owen R. Lovejoy 376 

TWENTY YEARS AT HULL HOUSE Reviewed by Arthur P. Kellogg. 377 

NIGHT MESSENGER SERVICE R. K. Conant 370 

MUNICIPAL RECREATION PROGRESS Everett B. Mero 383 

THE MERCHANT AND THE SOLICITOR Lloyd B. Hayes 38& 

INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT CHARITIES 392 

A SUBURBAN TOWN BUILT ON BUSINESS PRINCIPLES. Frederick Law Olmsted 395 

SYLLABI OF BOSTON-1915 CONFERENCES 390 

THE OPPORTUNITIES OF DENISON HOUSE Lilian Marchant Skinner 402 

THE AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION AT WASHINGTON. . John L. Sewall 405 

THE WEST END LOOP Alexander Whiteside 407 

THE BOYLSTON STREET SUBWAY PLAN Charles J. Rich 410 

THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT 413 



Published Monthly by Boston— 1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class matter at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief JOHN L. SEWALL, Associate Editor 

LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Circulation and Advertising Manager 



NEW BOSTON 





HOTEL PURITAN 

390 Commonwealth Avenue 

100 Yards West of Massachusetts Avenue Car Lines 

A DISTINCTIVE BOSTON HOUSE 

opened in November, 1909, with every modern resource for 
Transient and Permanent Guests 

D. P. COSTELLO, Manager 

Write for interesting literature on the Hotel in Boston and New England 



545 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

BIJOU THEATRE 



Open dally from 9.30 A. M. to 

10.30 P. M. 
Sunday 6.30 to 10.30 P. M. 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the public for a small admission. 
That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 
All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a " Moving Picture Show." 



Motion Pictures at their Best 

The subjects carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
European producers. 

Camera Chats 

By a trained reader, on interesting phases 
of life at home and abroad. 

Stereopticon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



PROGRAMME 



One-Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

Music 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



JOSEPHINE CLEMENT, Manager 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



Vol. I 



JANUARY, 1911 



No. U 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



Boston-1915 in 1911 

The year 1910 has seen a wide ex- 
tension of the Boston-1915 idea and a 
general acceptance of its fundamental 
soundness, as well as the accomplish- 
ment of certain specific features of its 
work which stood out prominently in 
public attention. The Housing Com- 
mittee prepared a careful report showing 
living conditions in Boston's congested 
districts, a report which is being followed 
by constructive w^ork. A successful Sane 
Fourth of July was inaugurated and 
carried out through a Boston-1915 Com- 
mittee. Important schoolboy track 
meets were held during July and August, 
under the direction of the Boys' Games 
Committee. Through the summer and 
fall plans were laid and carried out for 
the recent civic advance campaign and 
the Pageant, "Cave Life to City Life," 
details of which appeared in the Novem- 
ber and December numbers of [NEW 

Boston. 

While these more striking features of 
the movement were under way, a most 
important but necessarily inconspicuous 
work was progressing — the organiza- 
tion of the twelve hundred bodies affili- 
ated with Boston-1915 into workable 
conference groups. The opening of the 
new year sees each of the thirteen 
conferences effectively organized, the 
several Syllabi *of the Needs of Boston, 
either prepared or nearing completion, 
and active steps being taken towards the 
fulfillment of these conference programs. 
The chief work of Boston-1915 in the 
year ahead will be to use the combined 
forces of its co-operating agencies in 
bringing to pass the recommendations of 
the various conferences. 



In line with this policy, the Board of 
Directors approved the following recom- 
mendations made by the Executive 
Committee: 

That each conference shoukl select one or two 
important things which ought to be done, and that 
they should then submit them through the Execu- 
tive Committee to the Directors, to be incorporated 
in a platform of work for the coming year. 

Neighborhood Conference Progress 

Following out this recommendation 
of the Board of Directors, the Neigh- 
borhood Conference* has voted that 
more drinking fountains and public 
comfort stations are the most pressing 
needs of 1911 in that Conference's par- 
ticular field. This recommendation has 
been approved by the Executive Com- 
mittee of Boston-1915. The lack of 
adequate provision for public toilets in 
Boston was brought out in a report made 
by the Public Health Committee of the 
United Improvement Association. That 
report stated that "At present, with a 
single exception, there are no such 
stations woi-thy of the name within the 
municipal limits. The sole exception is 
the well equipped and maintained sta- 
tion on the Common, where conij)lete 
toilet facilities are provided for both 
sexes. A board of experts on this sub- 
ject might be selected, the members of 
which would gladly volunteer their 
services in the working out of a plan 
which would result, year by year, in the 
building of suitable additional stations, 
first, in the downtown districts, and later, 
at junction points in the outlying sec- 
tions, until the entire city was provided 
for." 



TUe complete syllabus of the Neighborhood Conference appears on another ge of this number. 

373 



374 



NEW BOSTON 



To Study Boston's Playgrounds 

The Boys' Games Committee of Bos- 
ton-1915 is not confining its operations 
to tlie summer months. At a recent 
meeting of the Youth Conference it 
was announced that the committee will 
make a study of the playgrounds of 
Boston with reference to the use made 
of them by boys. An investigation will 
also be made of baseball grounds and 
their location, public baths used by boys, 
the number of boys taking part in the 
Boston-1915 boys' games of last summer, 
the number of boys from different sec- 
tions of the city competing in these 
meets, the organizations represented, 
the boy population of the city between 
the ages of ten and eighteen, and the 
approximate division by districts. The 
committee will also endeavor to outline 
an all round physical test for boys and 
an indoor test in calisthenics, fancy 
steps and apparatus work for boys and 
girls. It is hoped that schedules may 
be arranged for schoolboy contests in 
baseball, hockey and track events, and 
that a committee may be appointed, 
consisting of one man from each of the 
large organizations doing physical work 
for boys, to organize work for boys and 
schedule the summer's games by play- 
grounds or districts. 

An Enlarged Publication Committee 

At a meeting of the Board of Directors 
of Boston-1915 held on December 12, 
it was decided to enlarge the publication 
committee of NEW BOSTON by the 
appointment of one representative from 
each of the conference groups. These 
"additional members will be appointed 
from the conferences and the completed 
committee will constitute an advisory 
group thoroughly representative of the 
social and civic interests of Boston. 

Fraudulent Charities 

The article entitled "Inside Information 
About Charities" on another j^age refers 
to the effective work of the Massachu- 
setts State Board of Charity in investi- 
gating new charitable corporations. The 
act providing for such investigations 
went into force on March 25, 1910, and 
up to December 14-, 1910, the board 
had received forty-nine petitions from 



various charitable societies. Of that 
number, eight societies are now under- 
going inquiry. Forty-four have been 
investigated and twenty-eight charters 
have been granted by the secretary of 
the Commonwealth. Of the eleven 
charters refused, in two cases the petition 
was withdrawn during investigation. 

This careful work of the state board 
guarantees hard times ahead for useless 
or fraudulent organizations looking for 
state charters. At that point the public 
is protected. But the "Mr. Merchant" 
of Mr. Hay's article must keep a close 
watch for the already flourishing busi- 
ness and charity sharps, who find Boston 
as good a field as any in the country. 
Both of the articles on fraudulent charities 
should be read by every one who is 
approached for contributions to charitable 
organizations of whose worth he is not 
absolutely sure. 

Denison House Activities 

Jane Addams in "Twenty Years at 
Hull House," says that "the educa- 
tional activities of a settlement as well 
as its philanthropic, civic and social 
undertakings, are but differing mani- 
festations of the attempt to socialize 
democracy, as is the existence of a set- 
tlement itself." 

Denison House in Boston has unusual 
opportunities in this field of "socializing 
democracy," and how it is meeting 
some of these opportunities is told in this 
number of NEW BOSTON by Miss Lilian 
Marchant Skinner. Syrians, Italians, 
Greeks, Jews, Irish and Chinese com- 
pose the heterogeneous racial mixture of 
the neighborhood in which Denison House 
works. The section is half a living district 
and half a business district studded with 
dance halls, saloons and moving picture 
shows. As Miss Skinner points out in her 
article, chances for real neighborhood 
service have not been wholly met. The 
workers are cramped for room in their 
present quarters and a Denison House 
extension committee has been appointed 
to plan for a new building. A properly 
equipped addition is proposed on the 
ground now occupied by Nos. 95-97 Tyler 
street. The basement and first floor will 
be used for gatherings of all sorts; the 
third floor for industrial classes and clubs, 
and the top floor for living quarters for 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



375 



the men residents. Information regarding 
the work of Denison House and ])lans 
contemplated when additional facilities 
are secured, may be obtained from the 
director of the Extension Committee, 
John Daniels, at 718 Barristers Hall. 

A Schoolboy's Stadium ~' 

The Boston-1915 Boys' Games held 
during the summers of 1909 and 1910 
showed the need for an adequate muni- 
cipal athletic field for schoolboy track 
meets. The value of such a central 
meeting place is perhaps even more 
apparent in the cases of other branches 
of athletics like baseball and football. 
At the suggestion of Mayor Fitzgerald, 
Robert S. Peabody, chairman of the park 
commission, has prepared three tentative 
plans for a schoolboy's stadium to be 
located on the Fenway land under the 
control of the Park Department. Each 
of these plans would necessitate the ex- 
tension of Jersey street to the rear of 
the Art Museum by the Fens Roadway. 
Two of the plans provide baseball and 
football fields with the necessary grand- 
stands, while the third calls for a stadium 
below the street level. The park com- 
missioners are also considering the prop- 
erty immediately in the rear of the Art 
Museum. 

The Youth Conference of Boston- 
1915, through a committee consisting 
of Mitchell Freiman, Edith M. Howes 
and Dr. A. E. Garland, made a report 
at a conference meeting held on December 
15 in which the stadium plan was dis- 
cussed in some detail. The committee 
was unable to make a complete inquiry, 
but reported as follows: 

The project of the stadium has meant to us an 
athletic fiekl and a large structure for seating 
spectators, with enclosed rooms inside. 

From the point of view of the schools, there is 
immediate need of a general athletic field for foot- 
ball, baseball and track races. At present, each 
school is obliged to hire enclosed grounds for such 
purposes, at its own expense, charging substantial 
sums for admission, paid by pupils and outsiders 
alike. Your committee deems it wise that com- 
mercialism be removed, and believe that the crea- 
tion of an enclosed athletic field would probably 
remove this condition. 

There is a large tract of land in the Fenway, be- 
longing to the city, now being filled in, which will 
very shortly be of use. It is under the control 
of the Park Department and could, by legislation, 
be applied for athletic purposes. Your conunittee 



believes that it is desirable for this land to be used 
as a general athletic fichl, open to the schools and 
public alike. Here, general grammar .scIkjoI com- 
petitions could be h(>ld, and high .school games 
could be played. Ciirls and boys alike could use it. 
It is within c>asy reach of the English High School, 
Boston Latin School, Girls' High School and 
(iirls" Latin School, and the coming High School of 
Practical Arts. ]"'urthermore, it is handy to 
Simmons College and many private .schools in the 
Back Bay. It could be patronized by working 
men and boys during the summer months, and 
would be convenient for y)ublic festivals, carnivals, 
folk dances, choral exhibitions, and municipal 
athletic events. It would make possible military 
drill in the open air for high .school boys and would 
allow a general celebration in .June of the classes 
graduating from the schools. 

At the start, a locker building could be erected, 
with shower baths, and pcrha{)s a small adminis- 
tration building. Later, when the public has 
become accustomed to resort to the field, a stadium 
could be built with enclosed rooms for basketball, 
banquets, dances and other events of social and 
municipal interest. The river flowing through the 
land could be so directed under the building, that 
a swimming pool could be provided for, useful in 
simiraer and winter alike. 

Your committee is unable, at this time, to pre- 
sent any definite plans and can only outline the 
opportunities and state a few of the needs. We 
believe that such an athletic field is desirable and 
that the land in the Fens is well adapted in situ- 
ation and extent to meet those needs. We believe 
that a stadium would be a great ornament and a 
monument and that it would become the great 
recreation center of Boston, and the most important 
recreation center in New England. 



BOSTON'S GARBAGE 
PROBLEM 

LOUIS K. ROLUKE 

Superintendent of Streets, City of Boston 

On August 25th, as superintendent of 
streets of Boston I called for l)ids for 
the disposal of city refuse under a ten-* 
year contract to go into operation on 
January 1, 1912. Twenty copies of 
the specifications were sent out antl on 
October 17, the last day named in the 
notice to bidders, one bid was received 
from the Boston Disposal Company. 
That bid was rejected on account of 
the high prices specified, the biddcM- 
agreeing in the meantime to submit 
another estimate naming fairer i)rices. 
The fact tliat the New England Sanitary 
Product Company, which now liolds 
the city contract for refuse disposal, has 
an extensively equipped plant at Spec- 
tacle Island, probably accounts for the 



376 



NEW BOSTON 



lack of a more general interest in the 
submission of bids. 

The specifications called for the dis- 
posal of "city wastes, comprising ashes, 
garbage, rubbish and street sweepings 
in a sanitary and inoffensive manner, 
it being understood that no untried 
methods will be considered." I think, 
however, that the best and cheapest 
method for handling ashes is through 
municipal disposal at sea; and in all 
likelihood the city will eventually under- 
take this part of the work. 

At present all local dumps, with the 
exception of the West Roxbury and 
East Boston dumps, are practically 
filled up, necessitating long hauls to 
the water front with increased expendi- 
ture for disposal. In fact this question 
of hauling is the principal factor in the 
cost of garbage removal. Consequently 
local collection stations must be estab- 
lished at Roxbury, Dorchester, Albany 
street and Fort Hill, from whence refuse 
can be taken to barges. The location 
of Brighton makes that district ideal 
for an incinerating plant, which should 
be established there under municipal 
supervision. The Brighton plant could 
be made an object lesson for the large 
number of citizens who desire disposal 
by incineration. 

As a general proposition incineration 
is expensive, and fvirthermore the fvmda- 
mental principle of burning all refuse 
is against a policy of conserving natural 
resoiu'ces. Milwaukee operates an in- 
cinerator where 300 tons of mixed refuse 
are disposed of daily at an operating 
cost alone of ninety -five cents a ton. 
Incinerators offer one practical solution 
of the refuse problem, however, and if 
Boston finds it impossible to dispose 
of its wastes at reasonable rates by 
other methods, local incinerators may 
be adopted. 

Columbus, Ohio, operates a reduction 
plant and one collecting station. All 
refuse is hauled from this station on a 
municipally owned railroad to the re- 
duction plant which pays for the interest 
in the investment, depreciation of the 
plant and the cost of operation. Cleve- 
land has a similar system which is a 
good examj)le of the way in which a 
reduction plant may be utilized to best 
advantage. 



INDUSTRIAL BLIND ALLEYS 

OWEN R. LOVEJOY 

Secretary National Child Labor Committee 

The attempt to regulate employment 
of night messengers in Boston and 
the other large cities of Massachusetts 
is in line with the plan inaugurated a 
year ago by the National Child Labor 
Committee. Through various reports 
from its field agents and other representa- 
tives, this committee became convinced 
that the service of messenger boys during 
the late night hours is an unfit occupa- 
tion, from which young boys and youths 
should be debarred. The investigation 
of the committee covered nearly seventy- 
five cities in sixteen states, and is con- 
sidered sufficiently representative to 
prove that the startling evidence is 
not of an exceptional or accidental 
nature. 

The committee's investigators found 
that after the late hours the bulk of 
messenger business in many sections 
of our large cities is in catering to saloons, 
houses of prostitution, gambling halls, 
disreputable hotels and similar patronage. 
A considerable business of a legitimate 
character was found, of course — viz: 
calls from newspaper offices, hotels and 
places of business open occasionally at 
late hours. But it was also found that 
nearly all the work of this character can 
be transacted by telephone without in- 
terruption or loss. 

The moral hazard of the night mes- 
senger boy is not the only loss he sus- 
tains, as was clearly demonstrated from 
the committee reports. While instances 
can be cited of men who have risen to 
positions of prominence and responsi- 
bility from this occupation, they are not 
typical. To the ordinary boy the night 
messenger service is an industrial blind 
alley and should be clearly marked "no 
thoroughfare." The popular notion that 
messenger boys are trained in the art 
of telegraphy is unfounded. Few in- 
stances were discovered in which any 
systematic efforts were made to train 
these boys, while in the typical messenger 
office, boys not on duty customarily loaf 
in their waiting room or outside, receiv- 
ing no training or instruction to develop 
their industrial efficiency. 

An objection to employing adults for 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



377 



the night messenger service is that I lie 
wages offered are insufficient to interest 
able-bodied men. In many instances 
this objection is vaHd, but not against 
the exclusion of young boys from this 
service. The objection can be met only 
by establishing a wage scale sufficient to 
attract those who are suitable for the 
work. 

The best evidence that the campaign 
against child labor in the night messen- 
ger service is well founded, is the fact 
that in New York, where the most 
vigorous effort was put forth to secure 
a good law, no word of opposition was 
advanced by any person engaged in 
the business. Officials of messenger com- 
panies to whom the evidence was re- 
ferred voluntarily offered to co-operate 
in seeking an eighteen-year-age limit; 
but when the state legislature, impressed 
by the evidence, went even farther and 
established a twenty-one year age limit, 
the measure was without opposition. 

But two possible arguments could be 
advanced against such a reform in 
Massachusetts: first, that boys would 
be thrown out of this industry ; and second, 
that the industry would be injured by 
the restriction. The National Child 
Labor Committee believes its accumu- 
lated evidence is a complete answer to 
both these objections, demonstrating 
that the service is not fit for young boys 
and that the industry itself will not 
suffer interruption provided those en- 
gaged in it are willing to pay a living 
wage to their employes; and no business 
which refuses to do this is entitled to 
survive. 



TWENTY YEARS AT HULL 
HOUSE* 

Reviewed by ARTHUR P. KELLOGG 

This is in no sense a guide book to 
settlement work, or a recipe for clubs and 
classes. It is the life story of Jane 
Addams. 

During the two decades of her residence 
in Halsted Street, Chicago has gone 
through "the period of propaganda, the 
moment for marching and carrying ban- 
ners, for stating general principles and 

" Twenty years at Hull House. By Jane Addams. 1910. 
450 pages. Price $2.50. Orders for postpaid delivery 
at $2.50 may be sent to NEW BOSTON, 6 Beacon Street. 



making a demonstration," and has reached 
the time for constructive work. Such 
years of growth are common to all cities, 
and the l)ook thus becomes of vital and 
personal importance to every American 
community. 

With the clearness and gentleness, but 
with those stirring forces in reserve, which 
characterize all of Miss Addams' writing, 
she has set down in one volume the story 
of her life, the historj^ of Hull House, and 
her conception of the philosophy of 
social progress. 

First of all there is interest in tracing 
through the 450 pages of the book Miss 
Addams' growing outline of settlement 
method and practice. At the beginning 
she modestly asserted that "the mere 
foothold of a house easily accessible, 
ample in space, hospitable and tolerant 
in spirit, situated in the midst of the 
large foreign colonies which so easily 
isolate themselves in American cities, 
would be in itself a serviceable thing for 
Chicago." On the last page, with twenty 
years' work and experience behind her, 
she characterizes the American social 
settlement thus: "The educational ac- 
tivities of a settlement, as well as its 
philanthropic, civic and social under- 
takings, are but differing manifestations 
of the attempt to socialize democracy, 
as is the existence of a settlement itself." 

To socialize democracy — that is Jane 
Addams' mission, and the story of her 
work toward it is the story of the book, 
which is, above all, her autobiography. 
It was inevitable she should express her 
faith through works which we call social. 
When she was but seven years old she went 
from the little mid-western village where 
she lived to a neighboring city of 10,000. 
"I remember launching at my father the 
pertinent inquiry, why people lived in 
such horrid little houses so close together, 
and that after receiving his explanation 
I declared with much firmness that when 
I grew up I should, of course, have a 
large house, but it would not be built 
among the other large houses, but right 
in the midst of horrid little houses like 
these." 

Miss Addams' life has been, from the 
first, an expression of the truth that was 
in her. As William James i)ut it, "She 
simply inhabits reality, and everything 
she says necessarily expresses its nature. 



378 



NEW BOSTON 



She can't help writing truth." One of 
her earliest recollections is a midnight 
trip to her father's room to confess a 
childish fib. The same quality has 
constrained her to give fearless testimony 
to the great crises which came in later 
life. Because she could not see just as 
they did, party Socialists once disowned 
her, and because she could see and sym- 
pathize with the despair of a man in the 
clutches of a hopeless philosophy, she 
was branded an anarchist. 

Holding true to her even course, it has 
been her remarkable faculty to gather up 
and to voice the hopes, the views, the 
aspirations of the hundreds and the 
thousands with whom she has placed 
herself in contact. This has given a 
wonderful democratic resonance to all 
that she has said with hand and tongue 
and pen. It has given a human and 
dramatic touch to the everyday walks 
of a great city. It has made her without 
spectacular incident or event to hinge 
the matter on, what a London writer 
recently called her, "the foremost woman 
in America." 

Of her recent work on public boards 
and commissions, of her later honors — 
first woman to preach the baccalaureate 
sermon at Chicago University, first 
woman president of the National Con- 
ference of Charities and Correction, 
first to be given an honorary degree by 



Yale — we all know. The background 
of settlement experience in terms of 
living men and women, prepared her. 
Of the earlier life, the motives, the in- 
fluences here and abroad which led her 
to open Hull House in 1889, we have 
hitherto known little. Of these as much 
as of the more public things, she has 
made a book. The fragmentary bits 
noted here, picked at random from many 
chapters, are set down in the hope that 
they may lead many to read this book 
and to buy it, for it is one to keep on 
one's own shelves. 

Lincoln and Addams, her father, who 
w^ere close friends in the pioneer days of 
Illinois before the Civil War, have been 
her heroes. It was to the great President 
that she turned in the dark days of a 
great strike — "walking the wearisome 
way from Hull House to Lincoln Park, 
for no cars were running regularly at 
that moment of sympathetic strikes, in 
order to look at and gain magnanimous 
counsel, if I might, from the marvelous 
St. Gaudens statue." 

In just such ways, this book, and the 
serene and thrilling personality which 
it holds lightly between its covers, may 
serve as counsel and inspiration to those 
who in different parts of the country, 
singly or in groups, and in all w^alks 
of life, face the issues of this present 
time. 





^^ 




-NIGHT MESSENGER 
SERVICE 

R. K. CONANT 

Secretary of Massachusetts Child Labor Committee 

While the modern inventive genius 
of society has been perfecting the tele- 
graph, society's conscience has been un- 
aware of a great accompanying evil — 
the use of boys in the night messenger 
service. This is a new problem for child 
labor committees. P'or a long time it 
was supposed that "child labor" meant 
solely the employment of eight-year-old 
weaklings in a South Carolina cotton 
mill. Since the development of the forces 
of child labor reform it has been found 
that "child labor" is a more pervasive 
evil and that it is not confined to the 
cotton mill. The employment of boys 
in the night messenger service is one of 
the many newly discovered child labor 
problems. In the mills the child is 
weakened physically and mentally; in 
the night messenger service the boy is 
weakened morally as well. 

Not in Massachusetts alone is this 
form of child labor prevalent; it exists 
in large cities throughout the country 
in fully as harmful a degree. The Na- 
tional Child Labor Committee has made 
investigations in nine states and nearly 
the same conditions are found in all of 
the sections studied. Society has un- 
wittingly allowed children fourteen or 
sixteen years old, indeed minors of nearly 
all ages, to enter an occupation which 
society's evil elements have made unfit 
even for grown men. Had the develop- 
ment of the messenger service stopped 
with the development of the telegraph, 
the harm would not have been great. 
The boy carrying telegrams alone could 
have suffered no unusual injury. But 
the value of a public errand boy apart 
from the delivery of telegrams caused 
the messenger service to develop further 
on its own account and there it came to 
grief. 

The value of the system of public 
errand boys lies in having at one's 
service a machine-like organization which 
will deliver and collect articles within 
the city. The impersonality of the 




organization and the lack of responsi- 
bility upon the user of it, increase the 
business efficiency of the service. But 
wdien the system is allowed to continue 
at night, it is discovered that the boys 
are not machines — they are sensitive, 
growing human beings with morals — 
at least in the beginning. The unques- 
tioning obedience of the boy and the 
lack of responsibility upon the user of 
the boy increases the usefulness of the 
system for legitimate day business. At 
night these two things make it destruc- 
tive. The unquestioning obedience of 
the boy makes it possible to make use 
of the system for immoral purposes and 
the lack of responsibility makes the user 
careless of the temptation into which he 
sends the boy. In the day time, when most 
of the business in which messengers can 
engage is legitimate, there does not a])- 
pear to be harm; at night nearly all 
legitimate business stoj)s, yet the mes- 
senger goes on working. With the excej)- 
tion of a few offices and stores open 
during a part of the evening, newspaper 
offices and railroad stations, the legitimate 
business of the messenger, apart from the 



379 



380 



NFAV BOSTON 



carrying of telegrams, ceases. But the 
public errand boy is still at beck and call 
and is used by prostitutes, gamblers, 
illicit saloons, places of assignation, 
hotels of shady reputation, and drug- 
stores with doubtful vendibles. 

The service would not be so harmful 
if it were merely a mechanical transmis- 
sion of notes and packages between these 
various resorts, but the carriers are boys, 
not machines, and the service generally 
requires that they enter the resorts 
and often that they remain some time. 
In Boston it has sometimes been found 
necessary to send two boys, one to wait 
outside and see that the other did not 
stay too long inside. Complete evidence 
has been accumulated by trained in- 
vestigators and is now in the possession 
of our child labor committee. Most of 
this evidence is entirely unprintable. 
This evidence shows beyond question 
that immoral women in employing night 
messengers make no attempt to conduct 
themselves in a proper manner. The 
service is personal service of whatever 
kind the employer may desire. The 
messenger is frequently sent for meals 
to be served in the rooms of disreputable 
lodging houses, is sent after legal closing 



time to kitchen bar-rooms for liquor, 
is even sent at times to opium dens for 
opium. 

The pity of the situation lies in the 
attractiveness of the work in the eyes 
of the boy. A little fourteen-year-old 
boy who had been in the service of the 
company just a month said of his night 
work, "I like to work nights because it's 
nice to be up and around with grown 
folks while the other kids are sleeping." 
He had already begun to "get wise" as 
he called it and had received the large 
tips given by the kind of fellow "who 
likes to show the girls that he's a sport." 
One messenger said: "There are some 
dandy sights always going on," and pro- 
ceeded to explain what they were. 
Another, "I'd rather work at night be- 
cause there's more fun." Another, "I've 
been on and off the messenger service 
six or seven times. I can't seem to be 
able to leave the work. There's some- 
thing about it that I can't let go of." 
Another seventeen-year-old boy, as he 
was pointing out to the investigator the 
places to which night calls took him, 
exclaimed enthusiastically, "Isn't this 
a great job? I like it so much that I'd 
rather be a messenger than a clerk. 




ON THE NIGHT SHIFT 



NIGHT MESSENGER SERVICE 



381 




WAITING FOR A NIGHT CALL 



Whenever I get a chance I do night 
messenger's work." 

The night messenger often feels that 
he is protected from pohce surveillance 
by his position. One Boston boy after 
explaining his visits to doubtful houses 
and to kitchen bar-rooms was asked 
whether he wasn't afraid of the police. 
He quickly pulled off his cap, showed the 
company's badge on it and said scorn- 
fully, "Gee, no. The cops can't touch 
us when we've got this badge on." 
The proprietor of the kitchen bar-room 
has no fear in selling illegally to the 
messenger in uniform, he knows that he 
is generally safe from the public eye, 
for as one messenger said, "We never 
goes back on a fellow what calls us." 
For this reason police have sometimes 
used messengers as detectives with suc- 
cess. 

The universal entanglement of the 
service with organized prostitution cannot 
be dissolved by removing the call boxes 
from the houses. The attempt of some 
companies to do this is praiseworthy, 
but it is of course an inefl'eclive remedy. 



In the absence of a call box it is only 
necessary to call the messenger office 
on the telephone. The customer's name 
will not be asked for; if it is, a fictitious 
name is easy to give. The customer's 
purpose cannot well be inquired into; 
if it is, a misleading answer may be given. 
Calls may be sent from places not known 
to have a doubtful reputation. 

Even when the night messenger is not 
actively engaged in the midst of immoral 
occupation, he is in a night environment 
which is harmful. Merely the glamor 
of the Chinese restaurant or the after- 
theater hotel is quite sufficient to lead 
him further into temptation. Tlie office 
in which the night messengers wait is 
often a crowded room where the total 
absence of supervision conduces to 
gambling, relating coarse jokes and 
reading literature of ((uestionable value. 
The face of the night messenger has a 
typical appearance which anyone may 
observe for himself. There the environ- 
ment shows its effect. 

It is not only the menace to moral 
character that makes the night messenger 



382 



NEW BOSTON 



service an objectionable occupation for 
growing boys. The physical havoc 
wrought by the unnatural hours of work, 
irregular hours of sleep, lack of healthy 
recreation, the character and irregularity 
of the meals and exposure to all kinds of 
weather is equalled by the wrecking 
of the mental faculties and the industrial 
destruction of the worker. 

Industrially, the work leads nowhere 
but to the grave of the dissolute unem- 
ployable. The messengers receive $20 
a month in wages and about as much more 
in tips for services often connected with 
immorality or crime. Little advance- 
ment is in sight as long as the boy re- 
mains in the service. The service teaches 
the boy little which is of possible use to 
him in any legitimate business. 

This is the general situation in Boston 
and in the large cities of Massachusetts. 
The conditions here are no worse than 
in the large cities throughout the country. 
They are in many respects considerably 
better than in other states, but they are 
so bad that they must not be permitted 
to continue. Boston-1915 should give 
its entire support to the removal of these 
boys and young men from the night 
messenger service. 

What is being done about the situa- 
tion? Society's conscience is beginning 
to rouse. Attempts to remedy the evil 
have so far met with little opposition. 
The heads of the messenger companies 
have apparently never known the ex- 
tent of the evil. Their employes are 
not under their control sufficiently for 
them to have reports upon the nature of 
the work. The service of a messenger 
is personal — the company is not ex- 
pected by its patrons to concern itself 
with the use made of the boy. The boy 
is not interested in telling the manager 
what he sees and does. But when the 
messenger companies have been shown 




the evil they^have generally consented 
to the passing of laws excluding the boys 
from the service. Last year New York 
passed a statute prohibiting the employ- 
ment of boys under twenty-one and at 
present we are informed that the service 
in New York City is performed entirely 
by men of mature age. 

The Massachusetts Child Labor Com- 
mittee will introduce a bill at the coming 
session of the legislature to prohibit the 
employment of minors under twenty- 
one in the night messenger service. 
Organizations of all kinds have begun 
to send endorsements of the measure to 
the Child Labor Committee and public 
sentiment is showing itself in favor of 
the eradication of the evil. 



•MUNICIPAL RECREATION PROGRESS 

EVERETT B. MERO 

"We need more plain pleasure, for recreation rightly used is a resource 
for the common purposes of daily life that is entitled to rank with education, 
with art, with friendship. It is one of the means ordained for the promotion 
of health and cheerfulness and morality. As one of our modern philosophers 
has said: 'Vice must be fought by welfare, not by restraint; and society 
is not safe until today's pleasures are stronger than its temptations,' adding 
with true optimism and sound insight: 'Amusement is stronger than vice 
and can strangle the lust of it.' Not only does morality thus rest back on 
recreation, but so does efficiency in every direction. One-half of efficiency 
and happiness depends on vitality and vitality depends largely upon rec- 
reation." — John Nolen. 



Rational recreation service has lately 
become accepted as a matter for serious 
consideration by those who wish to 
assist in the civic and social welfare of 
individuals and communities. Still more 
recently city authorities have recognized 
the need for intelligent administration 
of recreation facilities, often allowed 
to administer themselves, so far as se- 
curing adequate returns on investments 
is concerned. 

Providing adequate facilities under 
competent supervision and based on a 
sound policy for the recreation of city 
people is no longer a bit of experi- 
mental paternalism that needs to be 
bolstered up. Most progressive folk 
accept the general idea and know its 
importance. But too often there is un- 
warranted content with creating facilities 
and scant attention to how they are used. 
Practical experience proves that this 
method is wasteful and wrong from 
various points of view. 

Partly because this fact is recognized, 
cities all over the country are giving the 
matter attention on its merits, as a 
serious proposition, and there is a well- 
defined tendency toward one method 
for covering the ground properl3\ This 
tendency shows in the improvement 
recently proposed for Boston — the cre- 
ation of a centralized municipal body 
whose fundamental purpose shall in- 
clude all feasible service to the people 
from the public playgrounds, gymnasiums, 
baths, parks and beaches that already 
exist; and to have all of these facilities 
co-ordinated and run by one agency 
according to a unified plan. 

The policy of such a body should take 
into account other elements for recre- 



ation, amusement or pleasure beside 
those in which physical activity is promi- 
nent. There are good things that may 
be rescued from uncertain reputations 
and made to serve higher purposes. In 
most cases this means features that have 
educational, social and civic connections. 
Under this head would be motion pic- 
tures, photo plays and theatricals. Be- 
ginnings of this nature have already been 
made in Boston, through private initi- 
ative, the usual starting place of pro- 
gression. 

Dancing indoors and, still more im- 
portant, dancing in the open air is quite 
too much neglected. The development 
of national and other types of dancing 
for both sexes and all ages, with at- 
tendant festivities, has large social, 
civic and physical value. Not all danc- 
ing good for these uses has a "made 
in Europe" label. There are American 
dances quite worthy of cultivation. 
Moreover, social dancing of the usual 
type is not to be ignored. Music should 
be vocal and instrumental. People 
should hear good music — and also make 
music that many of us like even if 
critics say it is bad. A municipal 
recreation department should have a 
hand in all these aft'airs. If the depart- 
ment should not actually j)romote such 
a varied j)rogram, it might at least act as 
advisor and stimulate private efforts 
along right lines. 

We have a harbor and we have a 
Charles River Basin that we are begin- 
ning to appreciate. How much do the 
people use the old harbor or the new 
basin? The recreation possibilities are 
inadequately comj)rehended and almost 
entirely undeveloped. The mayor ap- 



383 



384 



NEW! BOSTON 




Fiuin lilaii^ (j1 Xcishall iV Bkviiis, Architects 

NEW MUNICIPAL GYMNASIUM AND BATHS, EAST BOSTON 

A well-equipped recreation center, equal to any of the type 



proves a city stadium in the Fens, which 
sounds quite in harmony with progressive 
recreation service. The Fens are largely 
undeveloped from the point of service 
to the people. The use of almost every 
park might be profitably increased. 

We have trolleys running almost every- 
where, but what efforts have been made 
to get people to use the street cars in- 
telligently to reach the public reserva- 
tions? And what do we offer them when 
they get there? What do we in Boston 
know of great open air festivals of which 
physical activities are the basis, but not 
the end of their being? xVthletic com- 
petitions, gymnastics, massed class calis- 
thenics, dancing, singing, social rela- 
tionships between groups of young people 
who too seldom come into contact for 
a common purpose — all this should be 
included in an outdoor recreation field 
day for 15,000 men, women and children 
—an event that could be made annual 
in Boston, under the auspices of a muni- 
cipal recreation department. 

The recreation movement covers all 
that playgrounds cover and much more. 
It extends the desirable features of play- 
ground occupation and activities to a 
larger constituency than playgrounds 



alone are meant to reach. Recreation 
service also embraces gymnastics, even 
the formal, set, disciplined sort. It 
includes athletics, both competitive be- 
tween groups and individuals, and the 
less strenuous sort which comes nearer 
pleasure for its own sake. In fact, it 
includes all sorts of approved physical 
activities indoors and outdoors. 

There is a national tendency to work 
along the broad lines that this summary 
tries to indicate. Even where play- 
grounds alone are receiving good atten- 
tion with municipal support, and other 
recreation features are neglected, there 
is a general advancement toward the 
idea of complete recreation service for all 
inhabitants, large and small, old and 
young, black, white and brown, seven 
days a week, from January 1 to Decem- 
ber 31 of each year. 

A solution of the problem in other 
cities, or an attempt to solve it, may not 
necessarily be the solution for Boston. 
But it is worth while to know what they 
have done and are planning to do. The 
cities that have taken definite steps 
toward treating all the elements of 
recreation service together, and that 
have either established municipal de- 



MUNICIPAL RECREATION PROGRESS 



385 




ECHO I'ARK, RECREATION CENTER, LOS ANGELES 








' ;^-^-V3C« — " 




SLALSUN i'LAiGKOL-NL) AND CLL 15 llnL>l,, !,'•- ANGELES 



386 



NEW BOSTON 



partments to handle the matter compre- 
hensively and intelligently, or have ad- 
vanced in that direction, are Phila- 
delphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Pitts- 
burg, St. Louis, New York and several 
smaller places. Some twenty cities have 
shown plain intention of using their 
present municipal playground systems 
as the beginnings of larger and more 
extensive work. The recently laid out 
plan for recreation service by the city of 
Milwaukee is very interesting and unusu- 
ally comprehensive. 

The accomplishments in Philadelphia 
are especially significant. A group of 
citizens started a campaign of educa- 
tion two years ago which resulted in the 
appointment of a mayor's commission 
to make a study of the needs of the city. 
Several months were devoted to in- 
vestigation, both in Philadelphia and 
throughout the country. 

The commission came to Boston and 
noted what was here. The good and 
bad features of Boston's public play- 
grounds, baths and gymnasiums aided 
in*determining the commission's conclus- 
ions. The report contained this funda- 
mental recommendation, which has been 
incorporated into the playground and 
recreation policy of Philadelphia: 

Your commission is clearly and firmly convinced 
that the best results can ultimately be obtained 
only by the creation and maintenance of a separate 
and distinct system of public playgrounds, recrea- 
tion centers and related activities, directed and 
controlled independently of any existing depart- 
ment or bureau of the city government. Under 
existing laws this is impossible at present and your 
commission therefore recommends that a bill be 
[introduced and pressed for passage in the next 




LOS ANGELES RECREATION BUILDING 



session of the legislature of Pennsylvania, looking 
to the creation of a municipal body to organize, 
direct and control such a recreation system. 

In the meantime, to make a prompt 
beginning possible, the report recom- 
mended that the city councils empower 
the mayor to appoint a committee of 
seven members to act until the permanent 
department could be legally created. 
This action was taken and the committee 
appointed in August is now construct- 
ing the first recreation center as a sample 
of what is to be done later throughout 
the city. This center is a development 
of Starr Garden playground. 

The ordinance authorizing the Phila- 
delphia innovation states that the tem- 
porary committee — ^which is really a 
city department — is to 

have charge of and manage the various playgrounds, 
recreation centers, municipal floating baths and 
bathing grounds which may be established at the 
present time or which from time to time may be 
authorized by councils or donated by private in- 
dividuals or associations and accepted by the city. 
That the said committee shall plan and recommend, 
and after appropriate action by councils, shall 
create and develop such a system as they shall 
deem proper and necessary. 

This puts the whole recreation service 
into the hands of a single body in sym- 
pathy with its duties and provided with 
power to carry out the plans adopted. 

In Columbus, Ohio, a department of 
public recreation was created in July. 
It is composed of five citizens serving 
without salaries and an executive secre- 
tary who receives a salary. The or- 
dinance creating the department says: 

Be it ordained by the council of the city of Colum- 
bus, that there be and hereby is established a de- 
partment to be known as the Department of 
Public Recreation, whose duty it shall be to make 
a study of the city's needs for public recreation, 
playgrounds, recreation centers, baths, and all 
like matters pertaining thereto and relating to 
the welfare and betterment of the inhabitants of 
said city, and to have charge and supervision under 
and in connection with the proper officers of the 
city, of all such institutions now or hereafter 
established. 

The last legislatiu'e of New York 
state passed a bill authorizing a public 
recreation commission for New York 
city to be appointed by the mayor. 
The purpose is to co-ordinate depart- 
ments, do away with confusion and con- 
fliction of authority between departments 
having in charge various phases of recre- 
ation^a parallel condition to that ex- 
isting in Boston. The New York law 



MUNICIPAL RECREATION PROGRESS 



387 



f C^^q^-JCJ^rplriS'i;. 




PLAN OF PHILADELPHIA RECREATION CENTER 



would have the new commission composed 
of the president of the city park board, 
a representative of the board of educa- 
tion appointed by that board, and five 
other persons to be selected by the mayor. 
The period of service would be three years 
after the first appointments . The members 
would receive no money compensation. 

The work in Chicago is already well 
known. Its results in actual practice 
seem to bear out promises. There are 
several systems of recreation centers, 
but all are conducted on similar lines. 
Service to the people all the time is the 
fundamental principle, not service to a 
few, part of the time. The South Parks 
system has been given more publicity 
than the others. Each of these centers 
includes facilities for the recreation and 
the physical and social welfare of the 
entire community in which it is located. 
No other work just like that done in 
Chicago is to be found in America, or 
perhaps in the world. The policy meets 
the needs of that city and is altered in 
detail from time to time to keep it in 
close touch with developing needs. The 
Chicago method might not be appropri- 
ate to Boston; that is a point to determine 
after a study. As an evidence of public 
approval it is interesting to know that 
the last Illinois legislature authorized 
an issue of bonds for $1,000,000 to ex- 
tend the recreation centers in some parts 
of the city not yet covered. 



Los Angeles is making all of its play- 
grounds into fully equipped recreation 
centers which are also intended to be 
social centers. One unit in its muni- 
cipal system is a large building devoted 
mainly to gymnasium, baths, roof garden, 
meeting halls, club rooms and social 
facilities. In other jinits playgrounds 
are the larger element, but in every case 
the purpose is to make them of all 
round service to all the people nearby. 

In one sense the consolidation proposed 
to improve Boston recreation and parks 
is like the recent creation of the new 
Public Works Department in this city. 
But there is a fundamental difference, 
of which some of its advocates seem to 
lose sight. Public recreation service 
has a human side. It has to deal with 
human beings, not only as employes but 
as growing, developing individuals whose 
lives may be influenced by what is done 
for and by them. A park may be cre- 
ated and left pretty much to take care 
of itself; or at least may be looked after 
by those who understand soil antl trees 
and flowers. Whether parks ought to 
be left to care for themselves is another 
question. But there is no room to doubt 
that playgrounds cannot be left without 
the care of specialists. 

By this newly advanced method we 
might have playgrounds oi)erated in 
connection with gymnasiums. Gym- 
nasiums make excellent indoor i)lay- 



388 



NEW BOSTON 



grounds and playgrounds make excel- 
lent outdoor gymnasiums. A policy 
that provides year round service may 
make use of this plan. Playgrounds and 
gymnasiums do not necessarily have to 
be on one lot of land to make such co- 
operation feasible. 

The recent City Club forum that con- 
sidered playgrounds and public recre- 
ation was " told that 100,000 Boston 
children should be on the city playgrounds 
instead of five per cent of that number. 
It was stated that Chicago South Parks 
recreation centers each cost about $'25,- 
000 a year to maintain, which is about 
what Boston spends for the conduct of 
all the playgrounds administered by the 
School Committee. Another critic said 
that he did not know of a single public 
playground in the city properly main- 
tained or attractive in appearance. He 
called some of them disgraces to the 
community. 

None of the speakers mentioned vital 
differences between the Boston and 
Chicago services. The fundamental 
principle of Chicago South Parks Com- 
mission is expert, trained, educated 
supervision under a general policy that 
covers all features of the centers under 
its jurisdiction. We do not approach 



that idea in any of these respects here 
in Boston. It is not so much a matter 
of money as of policy. 

The plan suggested in October by 
Mayor Fitzgerald to the City Council 
and the Finance Commission, a plan 
also considered by the United Improve- 
ment Association, and by Boston-1915, 
would create a recreation department 
with that title from the following 
existing agencies which would thus be 
abolished as independent activities : De- 
partments of parks, baths, public grounds, 
music, and the public celebrations di- 
vision of the mayor's office, and perhaps 
parts of the playground and athletic work 
now in the hands of the School Committee. 

The Finance Commission recommends 
that the public grounds, bath and music 
departments be combined with the park 
department. Public celebrations involve 
no change of departments. If it should 
be finally decided that the Park Depart- 
ment is the body to assume the respon- 
sibility of this important work, much 
of it entirely foreign to present interests, 
presumedly there would have to be a 
reorganization of that department. 

The possibilities from such a con- 
solidation justify serious attention re- 
garding administration and policy. 



iirw OTiTi»'^"Fff'F' 



■"^S— 



PHILADELPHIA RECREATION BUILDING 



THE MERCHANT AND THE SOLICITOR 



LLOYD li. HAYES 

Bureau of Investigation, Boston Chamber of Commerce 



"Mr. Merchant, I have a little proposi- 
tion to bring to your attention which will 
interest you — it will save you monej'." 
He had every appearance of being a 
business man with an errand worth 
while, so Mr. Merchant listened. "My 
purpose in calling on you this morning 
is to get your subscription to the Old 
Colony Credit Association, which 
furnishes members with full information 
on any individual or organization, 
charitable or commercial, seeking your 
support by way of a contribution or 
an advertisement. We will tell you 
whether the object is worthy or un- 
worthy, genuine or fraudulent. By 
consulting us each time you are ap- 
proached by a solicitor you will, in the 
course of a year, be able to save the 
price of the membership fee many times 
over; the unworthy will no longer live 
on your bounty, and the worthy will 
not be refused your support. Let us 
enter your name for a year's subscrip- 
tion." 

Mr. Merchant paused for a moment 
antl then replied, "If there is one thing 
that I ])ride myself upon it is my ability 
to tell a crook when I see one. My gifts 
to charity in the course of a year are 
pretty large," right here he leaned back, 
stuck his thumbs in his waistcoat and 
puffed slowly on his cigar, "and I think 
I know pretty well where every cent 
of it goes. No, sir, your proposition does 
not interest me a bit." 

"Pardon me, Mr. Merchant, but will 
you be kind enough to consult your check 
book for last month and see to whom you 
gave on the third?" 

Astonished at, the nerve and perse- 
verance of the man, IVIr. iSlerchant did 
as he was asked. "Yes," he replied, 
"I gave $100 to The Home for the 
Widows and Orphans of Life Savers." 

"Of course you knew all about the 
institution or you wouldn't have given 
to it?" ventinvd the visitor a bit 
cautiously. 

"Oh, yes! The chap I gave the money 
to was a very nice-appearing fellow, 



well dressed and all that, and he liad a 
letter from the president of the home 
introducing him, written on their own 
paper and with their seal stamped right 
on it. Oh, he was all right, that fellow 
was." 

"Yes — and now that you have your 
check book handy, just look for another 
one, please — June 10th — three months 
ago, and see to whom you gave that 
day." 

x\gain Mr. ]\lerchant pored over the 
pages till he found the date and with an 
air of "I told you so" showed it without 
a word — "$50 to the sick and death 
benefit fund of the International Order 
of Grocery Clerks" (Mr. INIerchant was 
a wholesale grocer). In this case, too, 
there was the official letter with its seal 
of authority carried by the nice-appearing 
man, who also had a long list of names, 
prominent business men who had con- 
tributed, among them several whom Mr. 
Merchant knew would not give to an 
unworthy cause. 

"It may interest you to knoAv, ]Mr. 
Merchant," said the caller in a C(uiet 
way as he arose to go, "that a couple of 
pals of mine got both of those checks 
and divided with me in a bar-room 
around the corner." 

As he went out, ]\Ir. ^lerchant wrote 
in his check book "$'-25 subscription to 
the Old Colony Credit Association." 

This little story illustrates a very 
common occurrence in lioston. Mr. 
Merchant is typical of many of our 
business men. They pride themselves 
upon their ability to detect the fraudulent 
and unworthy, do not take kindly to 
suggestions that they are being fleeced 
and are very reluctant to rely upon any 
other judgment than their own. 

It is the i)urpose of the writer to point 
out a few of the ditferent groups which 
are living U])on the business men and to 
illustrate them with concrete examples. 

Fii-st, there is the .so-called charity 
solicitor, who, like the nice-api)earing 
young man in the story, asks for the 
support of an institution, with a title 



S89 



390 



NEW BOSTON 



which is invariably calculated to touch 
the heart. The poor widow or the 
destitute child are favorite subjects for 
appeal, and the tale is told by one selected 
on account of his, or her, ability to make 
the story most touching. One of the 
most effective examples of clever acting 
in this connection which has come to the 
attention of the writer was that of a 
very attractive young woman, exceed- 
ingly well dressed who, with the air of a 
lady of society giving her spare moments 
to the cause of charity, pleaded in a most 
touching manner, with a voice full of 
tenderness and affection, almost emo- 
tional at times, on behalf of "the poor 
little dears in the slums." Into their 
lives her organization was endeavoring 
to bring a ray of sunshine (whenever a 
ray of sunshine creeps into the charity 
solicitor's story, beware). But when a 
peep was had behind the scenes, how 
different that sunshine appeared! The 
society lady, tracked to her lair, was 
discovered in a very hilarious condition 
enjoying a wine supper in company with 
a few good fellows at a decidedly sporty 
resort. Tracing that ray of sunshine 
still further towards its source, it was 
found that the organization which was 
doing such a philanthropic work was 
nothing more nor less than a poor, pale- 
fuced, shabbily-clad clerk in a shoe store, 
on a miserable dirty street in one of the 
suburbs of New York City. He was the 
owner, sole contributor and editor of a 
magazine which the lady with the tender 
manner was seeking subscriptions to, at 
a dollar a year. When asked if he 
had had much experience as a charity 
worker or writer on charity, he replied 
that it did not take much literary ability 
to publish the magazine with which" he 
was connected. 

Another fruitful source of income for 
the solicitor is the trade union, in whose 
name much fraud is committed. This 
fact is] well known to labor leaders, ''and 
many of them have made an earnest 
effort to suppress it, forbidding the use 
of this method for raising money. It 
is an easy method, however, and a large 
number, especially those who are not 
very prosperous financially, cannot resist 
the temptation to make money in this 
way. The opportunity is especially 
good in this class of cases on account 
of the fear which many of the business 



men have of retaliation on the part of 
labor in case they refuse to contribute, 
advertise or purchase a ball ticket. Un- 
doubtedly this fear is largely without 
foundation, but it exists nevertheless, 
and the less scrupulous of the unions 
take advantage of it. Here too is the 
opening for the solicitor who fraudulently 
claims to represent some fictitious organ- 
ization or, as is often the case, represents 
a genuine organization without authority. 

As in the case of the charity solicitor, 
the trade union solicitor is generally of 
good appearance, well dressed, polite 
and genteel of manner. In fact, these 
details often betray the crook, for the 
more smooth of speech and glib of tongue, 
the more apt he is to be a fraud. 

The letter of authority, or credential, 
neatly typewritten on official stationery, 
bearing a very pretentious seal, is of no 
value whatever as a badge of authority 
or genuineness. Nor is the long list of 
subscribers which the solicitor usually 
displays with great gusto of any weight 
whatever, for both of them are in many 
cases either made out of whole cloth or 
are borrowed plumes. It is a very simple 
matter, and a method frequently em- 
ployed by the professional solicitor, to 
secure a sheet of letter paper used by an 
organization, sometimes well known, if 
he is a very bold man, and this he takes 
to a printer who is in league with him 
and together they imitate the letter 
both in paper and type so that it is 
difficult to detect the fraud. To secure 
a seal, typewrite the letter and forge 
the signature which they have obtained 
by correspondence with the organization, 
is a simple matter indeed. But, you 
ask, how about the list of subscribers, 
do they forge a hundred or two hundred 
names? No, not at all. The list is 
genuine, the names have been genuinely 
affixed, but not for the purpose for which 
they are now used. 

It is well known to those who are 
familiar with the professional solicitor 
that there exists in every city, and 
particularly in Boston, a sort of family 
or clique, banded together by common 
interests, with headquarters or meeting 
places in a few centrally located bar- 
rooms. One might almost say that there 
is a perfect nest or den of these highway- 
men, for their work is nothing short of 
highway robbery. Here in these bar- 



THE MERCHANT AND THE SOLICITOR 



391 



rooms they meet at the end of the day's 
work and exchange information. "Kid" 
O'Brien, who has liad a successful day 
working the Hfe savers' racket, meets 
"Spike" jNIurphy, who has not had such 
good hick with the Bank Clerks Union, 
so "Kid," out of the kindness of his heart, 
gives "Spike" his list of subscribers, 
removing his credentials, for, if you will 
notice, the list of names is always con- 
structed on the loose leaf system bound 
with wire clips which permit the removal 
of the leaves. These names have been 
|)assed around so many times, have 
become so worn and soiled, that the 
solicitor who originally obtained them 
would never recognize them. They 
were first obtained in behalf of a genuine 
cause by a solicitor properly authorized 
to represent a worthy institution, but 
like many institutions, the managers 
did not exercise care in selecting their 
representative and unwittingly, perhaps, 
obtained the services of a professional 
whose history they did not investigate 
and whose dishonesty they did not dis- 
cover and, consequently, the list soon 
found its way to the den of thieves. 
What wonder then that Mr. * Merchant 
was misled (we will be as charitable 
with him as possible), by the nice-appear- 
ing young man, the letter of authority, 
and the list of names. 

The third group of cases may be called 
commercial propositions. These com- 
monly take the form of a trade directory, 
a town history or a special write-up 
on some particular class of trade, in 
which you are asked to advertise. In 
a majority of cases the book is never 
published or, if it is, only one copy is 
sent to each advertiser. That, however, 
does not often occur, for the usual way 
is to show the advertiser that his ad 
has been printed and his money is due. 
If the advertiser will carefully examine 
he will be pretty apt to find that the page 
on which his advertisement appears has 
been cleverly inserted in the book, a 
single copy of which alone has been con- 
structed for the purpose; or possibly it 
is last year's issue in a new cover. 

One of the cleverest schemes which 
has come to the writer's attention in 
this connection was that worked by 
what appeared to be a publishing com- 
pany engaged in the publication of a 



directory of manufacturers. A large 
manufacturer in Boston one day received 
tiirough the mail a letter bearing a title 
similar to that of a rei)utable publishing 
company which read as follows: 
"Dear Sir: 

Enclosed ple.ase find proof of your advertise- 
ment in tlie last issue of our direetory. Kindly 
correct the same and return at your earliest con- 
venience in order that it may appear in the next 
issue whicli is about to go to press. 

We are making you a special price of $1.5 this 
year, just half of what our price was a year ago. 
Kindly send check for the above amount i)ayable to 
Yours truly, 
(Signed) " 

Upon examining the enclosed advertise- 
ment it was found to be that which the 
manufacturer had inserted in a well- 
known directory published by a reputable 
house whose name had been cleverly 
imitated. The advertisement had been 
cut from the pages of this directory 
and was being used as a blind to mislead 
the unsuspecting merchant. In this 
particular case, however, the scheme 
failed, for the merchant recognized his 
advertisement, remembered the real 
name of the publishers with whom he had 
advertised, they were notified at once 
of the fraud which was being committed 
in their name, and the post-office au- 
thorities did the rest. 

In such cases as this the operators 
figure on a good percentage of "easy 
marks," they work the proposition 
quickly and disappear leaving no trace 
whatever by the time the fraud is dis- 
covered. 

In each of these three classes of cases 
which have been described, the charity, 
the union and the commercial proposi- 
tions, there seems to be known to the 
professional solicitor a group of merchants 
who are particularly suscejitible when 
properly approached. This fact was testi- 
fied to on the witness stand by a ])rofes- 
sional himself who was on trial for at- 
tempted larceny by false ])retences. When 
questioned by the ])rosecuting attorney 
as to why he sought contributions from 
certain individuals he replied: "Because 
I knew that they were in the habit of 
giving money to such things as this. 
We know pretty well who'll give and 
who won't." 

Cannot some method be contrived 
whereby this highway robbery may be 



392 



NEW BOSTON 



diminished, if it cannot be stopped en- 
tirely? To think of completely eradicat- 
ing the evil is out of the question. It 
is too deeply rooted. Those concerned 
are too clever, and human nature is too 
weak to think of abolishing the dif- 
ficulty, but from the experience which 
the writer has had in investigating these 
matters, it does seem as though a great 
deal of good could be accomplished, 
a great deal of money saved, by bringing 
home to the public the real situation, 
by spreading abroad through the press, 
the true story. The two best methods 
for accomplishing this would be publicity 
and concerted action on the part 
of the business men. If the wholesale 
dealers, the retail merchants and the 
manufacturers would absolutely refuse 
to give to any organization or individual 
whatever until they had investigated 
the case and ascertained the true facts, 
or unless they were personally acquainted 
with the case and positively knew first 
hand that the matter was a genuine one, 
a great deal of the fraudulent would be 
eliminated. In many cities this has been 
accomplished by referring to the chari- 



table organization on the one hand and 
the commercial organization on the 
other. In Cleveland, San Francisco, 
and many other cities, much good has 
been accomplished in this way. The 
Association of Commerce in Chicago 
has now taken the matter up and is 
establishing a bureau for working out 
the problem in a thorough manner. We 
have in Boston the machinery for ac- 
complishing this purpose, the xA-ssociated 
Charities, and the Chamber of Commerce, 
who together could do a great deal 
towards eliminating a feature which 
is to say the least exceedingly vexatious 
and annoying, if not wellnigh criminal 
in many of its aspects. 

But again we encounter Mr. Merchant, 
ultra-conservative, self-sufficient and pre- 
ferring almost not to be awakened to 
the true situation. He has his "pets" 
whom he delights in supporting and it 
is difficult to make him realize that they 
are not worthy of that support. Can 
he not be persuaded to exercise the same 
amount of discretion in his charity in- 
vestments that he does when he is asked 
to buy copper or life insurance? 



INSIDE INFORMATION ABOUT 
CHARITIES 



Last spring a few individuals applied 
to the secretary of state for permission 
to incorporate a charity, the alleged 
purpose of which was to be "gospel, 
mission, social and religious work." 
With the power conferred upon him by 
the last legislature, the secretary of 
state asked the State Board of Charity 
to investigate this application, and as 
the investigation showed that the would- 
be incorporators were men of shady 
reputations, inexperienced in the lines 
of work proposed, and of no financial 
standing, the secretary of state refused 
to grant the incorporation. The daily 
papers reported a few months later the 
incorporation of this enterprise by the 
Supreme Court of New York state. 

The legislation referred to, which has 
already jn'oved its value in protecting 
a credulous public from the schemes of 



bankrupts and swindlers who would 
recoup their losses from the pockets of 
benevolent individuals, was secured by 
a sub-committee of the Associated Char- 
ities of Boston, namely, the Committee 
on Information about Charities. By 
this act, the secretary of state was em- 
powered to ask the State Board of 
Charity to investigate all applications 
for incorporation as charities. The 
immediate and significant proof of the 
value of the law is due to the hearty 
co-operation of the State Board of 
Charity and to the keen intelligence 
shown by its secretary. 

Typical of another group of solicitors 
was the unctuous, genial, colored minister, 
in expensive clothes, who was collecting 
funds for the support of a southern school. 
The fact that he had never read the 
only credential which he possessed, a 



INSIDE INFORIVIATION A150ITT CHARniES 



3o:i 



prospectus of the school, and that he 
could not tell its location, that he had 
no local references to give, and that he 
reserved twenty-five per cent conunis- 
sion on all collections, did not, in his 
mind, seem to justify the scrutiny of 
the committee. In this case, the com- 
mittee concluded to inform the principal 
of the southern school that it coidd not 
recommend contributions to the school 
through the man who was at that time 
its Boston collector, with the result 
that the school immediately discharged 
the collector. 

Two years ago a suave gentleman with 
brilliant black eyes and polished manner 
tlropped like a meteor upon Boston for 
the purpose of raising, at short notice, 
$40,000, to establish a hospital for lepers 
in Syria. The oriental gentleman was 
literally burdened with letters of en- 
dorsement from mayors of cities, a 
Y. M. C. A. president, a charity organi- 
zation society president, an Episcopal 
bishop, many well-known clergymen of 
several denominations, and from others 
of the great and good — all of them 
written, as investigation showed, not 
from any personal knowledge of the 
writer, but because the philanthropist 
showed letters of recommendation from 
friends of each writer. It took but a 
few days to learn that this man had 
served twelve months at hard labor 
in an English prison for obtaining money 
under false pretences, had been turned 
out of more than one hotel in this coun- 
try, and was untrustworthy in every 
respect. Yet this man for some years 
had had an apparently uninterruptedly 
successful career in the eastern part of 
the United States, and possibly, if the 
well-known and hospitable Bostonian 
to whom he brought a cordial letter of 
introduction had been at home, there 
might have been a little more delay in 
securing the facts. From Boston he 
went to Rhode Island and Connecticut, 
and in at least one city was taken into 
court, only to secure a discharge through 
the pleadings of Sunday-school officials 
who had been hoaxed by the pious pro- 
testations of the oriental. 

As a general proposition the public 
is "easy" when solicited for the supj)ort 
of charitable schemes. And strange as 
it may seem — perhaps after all it is 



human nature — a charitably disposed 
citizen hates to be told that he is being 
defrauded by a worthless organization. 
He nnich prefers to contribute and credit 
some goodness to his ])liilanlhro])ic 
nature. If no one tells him that he has 
been sold, he is satisfied. He has the 
same mental feeling, at least, as the man 
who falls down on a slippery sidewalk and 
doesn't mind the shake up if no one 
happened to see him on his sudden 
descent. Just as long as the easy public 
is not informed regarding the worth of 
charitable organizations soliciting funds 
will it continue to give indiscriminately. 
It is the idea of the various charities 
endorsement committees that have 
sprung up in recent years to furnish 
this necessary information, and at the 
same time to assist worthy but poorly 
managed organizations to a higher level. 

In 1902 one of the first and most 
interesting committees of this kind was 
inaugurated in San Francisco. This 
committee consisted of seven persons, 
three, including the president, from the 
Merchants' Association, two from the 
Associated Charities and two represent- 
ing charities at large. Its purposes were 
announced as follows: 

"The Charities Endorsement Com- 
mittee is designed to protect the com- 
munity both from fraudulent and from 
inefficient enterprises soliciting in the 
name of charity, and to set a standard 
of efficiency below which no endorsed 
charity shall fall. 

"The Committee stands ready to 
investigate all charitable organizations 
applying to it for endorsement and to 
issue its official card to such as are 
doing honest and intelligent work. 

"It asks the charity-giving public 
to co-operate in making this ])lan etfective 
by refusing to give to charities not 
presenting the endorsement card of the 
Committee." 

On the same general lines committees 
have been organized in Cleveland, Provi- 
dence, Newark, Springfield and Seattle, 
where cards of endorsement are furnished 
to those organizations which, in the 
opinion of the conunittee, are worthy 
of public support. 

In several cities where the investiga- 
tion is made by charity organization 
societies, the work is followed uj) by a 



394 



NEW BOSTON 



report on the management of the in- 
stitution involved, in most cases allow- 
ing the inquirer to draw his own infer- 
ences on the propriety of lending support. 
It is on such a basis that the Committee 
on Information about Charities of the 
Associated Charities of Boston pursues 
its work. The last report of the Asso- 
ciated Charities states the position of 
that organization on this subject of en- 
dorsing and reporting: 

In our opinion the endorsement of some insti- 
tutions and the refusal to endorse others by giving 
or withholding an endorsement card tends to divide 
all petitioners for public contributions in the name 
of charity into two classes — the good whom it 
is proper to support, and the bad who must be 
refused. Now, there are in every large community 
some charitable institutions, though not many, 
to which any committee would be glad to give an 
uncjualified endorsement — institutions having a 
responsible board of directors who take an active 
part in the management, a competent treasurer 
whose books are kept in a proper manner and 
audited by a professional accountant, which make 
an annual report showing in detail everything that 
the contributing public is entitled to know, and the 
management of which is progressive along the 
lines approved by the experienced social workers 
of its particular branch. There are also in every 
large community a number of so-called charities 
which are nothing more than fraudulent devices 
for picking the pockets of the charitably minded 
for the benefit of a peculiarly contemptible kind 
of grafter. 

A great drawback to the endorsement 
method, according to the Associated 
Charities, lies in the fact that it leaves 
no middle ground on which can stand 
those institutions and organizations al- 
most wholly good but with a dash of bad. 
There must be a label "good" or a label 
"bad," and with the "bad" tag numerous 
organizations, in the main worthy, will 
find difficulty in existing. Another 
criticism of the endorsement method is 
that it lacks the educational features 
that can be embodied in the reporting 
plan. For instance, a committee with- 
holding an endorsement card may give 
no reason for non-endorsement and con- 
sequently may leave no loophole for 
reform. The rejected institution simply 
gets no card and the cause for such re- 
jection is consequently left in doubt. 

The Committee on Information about 
Charities of Boston makes inquiries only 
on the request of its own members, or 
of some other persons in whom the com- 
mittee has confidence and who have been 
asked to contribute to the fluids of the 



charitable institution in question. The 
committee furnishes a report and either 
allows the applicant to draw his own 
inferences or, at times, give its reason 
for believing that the cause is worthy 
or unworthy. 

The committee emphasizes the con- 
structive side of its work and wherever 
possible, in the case of generally good 
institutions with some poor features, 
endeavors to persuade the directors to 
correct certain branches of their work. 
Where actual fraud is detected, the com- 
mittee at times secures the co-opera- 
tion of the police and warns charity 
organization societies in other cities. 
Often in the case of a badly managed 
institution or in those where funds are 
misspent, the frank publication of facts 
is enough to discourage further fraud. 

The work of the committee in the last 
report of the Associated Charities is 
summarized as follows: 

212 persons made 300 inquiries. 

Twenty-seven inquiries from cities and towns out- 
side of Boston. 

Total number of charitable and civic enterprises, 
and promoters, about which the committee has 
information, 550. 

Total number of these investigated by the com- 
mittee at the request of our subscribers, 462. 

New investigations made during the past year, 64. 

Supplemental investigations made during the 
past year in reply to inquiries about societies 
already investigated, 21. 

Thirty-seven societies and individuals asking 
public support, to whose work the public cannot 
be advised to contribute, considered by the com- 
mittee during the two years, October 1, 1907, to 
October 1, 1909. 

Nineteen of these are probably fraudulent. 

"To make the work truly effective for good," 
says the Associated Charities report, "such a com- 
mittee must always keep in mind that it has several 
distinct duties to perform — first, to educate the 
public so that it shall demand proper standards 
of efficiency in charitable organizations; second, 
to prevent the duplication of charitable effort; 
third, to help legitimate enterprises by advice and 
co-operation; fourth, to show the needs of new 
organizations or the extension of existing ones; 
fifth, to detect and drive out impostors and frauds. 
In order to do all these things the committee must 
have the confidence of the community both as to 
its business sanity and as to its knowledge of 
charitable and sociological work. If the com- 
mittee is composed wholly of business men or their 
representatives, though satisfactory to the public 
in the first capacity, it is likely to fall short in the 
second. If the committee is composed wholly of 
social workers or representatives of charity organi- 
zations, the converse is likely to be true. We 
believe, therefore, that a committee fairly repre- 
sentative of both bodies is the one which is capable 
of the largest and most effective work." 



A SUBURBAN TOWN BUILT ON 
BUSINESS PRINCIPLES 



FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED 



Forest Hills Gardens, whose landscape features are described by Mr. 
Olmsted in the following article, is a business investment of the Russell 
Sage Foundation. The town is situated within the boundaries of New York 
City, and while not differing materially from other Long Island real estate 
enterprises, emphasizes English garden city features that are so often un- 
known in our American suburbs. Ample playground and recreation facili- 
ties are provided and minute attention is given to an attractive city plan 
that conforms to the tentative plan of Greater New York. This idea of a 
well-rounded policy of suburban development — a policy that coincides 
with the plan of the greater city — might well be applied to the outlying 
sections of any large community. It is so seldom that an American town 
plans its growth with an idea of future development that the example of 
Forest Hills Gardens is noteworthy. — Editor. 



The Russell Sage Foundation, as a 
means of earning the income which it 
uses in various lines of philanthropic 
work, has invested a part of its capital 
in a suburban land company operating 
in the Borough of Queens, in New York 
City. This concern, the Sage Fovinda- 
tion Homes Company, has bought a 
tract of some 160 acres on the Long 
Island Railroad sixteen minutes from 
the Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan 
and is developing it into building lots. 
As a business proposition the enterprise 
differs in no essential respect from those 
of other land companies except in this: 
that whereas the ordinary land-company 
will put upon the market only the same 
old standard article in the way of city 
lots that is already selling successfully 
in the vicinity, the Sage Foundation 
Homes Company is willing to risk some- 
thing by introducing to some degree 
what may be regarded as novelties in 
the New York retail land market, 
novelties which it believes the public 
will appreciate and pay for, which if 
successful will be copied by others and 
raise the general standard, but which 
are not sufficiently certain in their appeal 
to induce the average real estate man 
to try the experiment on his own account. 

There is a speculative element in any 
transaction in city land, but what the 
Sage Foundation Homes Company is 
doing, as many land development con- 
cerns all over the country are doing, 
is not mere gambling in land values. 



as in the case of those land speculations 
where the only source of profit is the 
unearned increment. It is conductiug, 
in fact, a process of manufacture and 
merchandising. As raw material it lias 
bought agricultural land at wholesale, 
although at suburban prices which in- 
clude a large and purely speculative 
advance secured by previous holders. It 
is manufacturingi,that' land in some cases 
partially and in other cases wholly, 
into good individual suburban dwellings, 
with all that term implies in the way of 
equipment and surroundings. Finally 
it is marketing the product at retail, 
in various styles and stages of comple- 
tion, to suit the purchasers and tenants, 
from the vacant lot on a clean, paved, 
planted street, to the non-housekeeping 
apartment of one to four rooms and a 
bath in a building with a restaurant, 
a garden and a squash court. 

Its profits, as in the case of other well- 
ccnducted land companies, are those of 
the manufacturer and merchant who 
performs an actual service to the com- 
munity; they depend not at all on hold- 
ing land for a speculative rise, but on 
turning it over as quickly as possible 
to the retail purchaser at reasonable 
retail prices, with the least possible loss 
through accumulated interest and taxes. 

In laying out Forest Hills Gardens 
there has been an attempt to secure the 
full benefit resulting from three imjmrtant 
principles in city planning, the advantages 
of which are coming to be more and more 



395 



306 



NEW BOSTON 



clearly recognized as part of the rapidly 
advancing expert knowledge of the sub- 
ject. 

One of these principles relates to the 
main thoroughfares, which should be 
direct, ample and convenient, no matter 
how they cut the land. Two eighty- 
foot streets are carried straight through 
the property, on lines l,'-260 feet apart, 
fixed by the location of bridges under 
the railroad and in accordance with 
New York city's tentative street plan 
covering adjacent territory. A boule- 
vard 1'25 feet wide, also coinciding with 
the city's tentative street plan, is pro- 
vided along the line where the property 
fronts on Forest Park, a 536 acre tract 
forming the largest reservation of public 
park lands in the Borough of Queens. 
In addition, two avenues seventy feet 
wide, with an ample set-back of build- 
ings, radiate from Station square, where 
the most important of the eighty-foot 
streets passes under the railroad, on 
direct but gently curving lines, so lo- 
cated as to secure the best grades and 
the most agreeable setting, through 
the midst of the property to the entrances 
of Forest Park and to the boulevard 
which is to follow its easterly boundary. 
These two important lines would be 
wholly unprovided for under the usual 
rectangular layout of New York streets 
and blocks. Other streets secondary 
to the above in importance are sixty 
feet in width, also with a set-back for 
buildings, and follow lines which are 
direct but carefully related to the top- 
ography and which connect with the 
adjacent street layout of the city's 
tentative plan. 

A second principle, which is very im- 
portant to supplement the first, but 
which has been too generally ignored 
in American street layouts, is that 
those streets which are not needed as 
thoroughfares should be planned and 
constructed to meet the purposes of 
quiet attractive residence streets. To 
this end the local streets at Forest 
Hills Gardens are laid out so as to 
discourage their use as thoroughfares. 
While not fantastically crooked, they 
are never perfectly straight for long 
stretches; and their roadways, well 
paved with bituminous macadam, are 
narrow, thus permitting additional space 



to be devoted to the front gardens which 
will be one of the characteristic features 
of the whole development. Probably 
one of the most notable characteristics 
of Forest Hills Gardens from the point 
of view of the homeseeker, when the 
plans are fully realized, will be the cozy 
domestic character of these local streets, 
where the monotony of endless, straight, 
wind-swept thoroughfares which are the 
New York conception of streets, will 
give place to short, quiet, self-contained 
and gardenlike neighborhoods, each hav- 
ing its own distinctive character. 

A third principle that has controlled 
the design of Forest Hills Gardens is 
the deliberate setting apart of certain 
areas for the common use and enjoy- 
ment of the residents. The fortunate 
location of the tract on the very borders 
of Forest Park has, of course, made it 
wholly needless to provide any large 
park within the tract itself, but in spite 
of this advantage, a public green has 
been formed at the point where the 
two main avenues divide, within view 
of the station and central to that part 
of the property which is farthest from 
Forest Park. This will form the resi- 
dential focus of the community just as 
the neighboring Station square will be 
its business focus. The portion of the 
green lying between the roads and de- 
voted wholly to lawn and paths and 
ornamental planting occupies one and 
one-half acres, but the size of the whole 
open space of the green, from building 
line to building line, is about three and 
one-half acres. Beyond the upper end 
of the green and upon its axis is reserved 
a public school site and in connection 
with it, sufficient space for a school 
playground and for school gardens. 

The Station square itself, although 
primarily a traffic center, is of consider- 
able size, and the whole of the surround- 
ing architecture, including the railroad 
station and its approaches, is being 
developed as a single composition, with 
a regard for the pleasure which the resi- 
dents may derive from its use, that is 
impossible in the individualistic develop- 
ment of business centers which usually 
occurs even in the most costly and 
most fashionable suburban districts. 

In addition to the school playground 
and the green, a space of about an acre 



A SUBURBAN TOWN BUILT ON BUSINESS PRINCIPLES 



397 






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■^■''•■f^j^ CiO 1^ QC^c 



S98 



NEW FBOSTON 




and a half, surrounded by streets, is 
being held in another part of the tract 
for use as a public recreation ground. 
The most novel recreation feature is 
that of enclosed "block playgrounds." 
These are spaces of varying shape and 
size, occupying the interior portion of 
some of the blocks and intended for the 
exclusive use of those living on the sur- 
rounding lots. They cannot be used 
for the active, noisy games of large boys 
and will not be open to the general 
public or to loafers, but will provide 
places where the smaller children of the 
block can find room to play instead of 
being forced out upon the streets. They 
will be reached through gates, directly 
from the back yards of most of the 
houses in these blocks. 

Where land is of such high value as 
is bound to be the case within a quarter 
of an hour of Seventh Avenue and 32nd 
street, such a liberal provision of land 
forfcommon use and enjoyment is pos- 
sible, upon a sound commercial basis, 
only by paying a round price for it; 
and in the last analysis the price must 
be paid by the occupants of the lots. 
It Us therefore a fair question how that 
price is to be paid — just what loss is to 
be set off against the gain. 

The question may be answered in 
two ways. On the one hand, lots having 



such advantages are thereby made more 
desirable, and are actually worth more 
to their occupants and worth more in 
the open market, lot for lot, than similar 
properties without these advantages; 
just as lots on a paved and sewered 
street are worth more than upon a street 
that is unimproved, the increased market 
value going to cover the cost of the im- 
provement. In the opinion of most 
students of city planning and of many 
experienced and progressive real estate 
operators of large practical experience, 
land set apart for public recreation pur- 
poses in reasonable amount and in an 
intelligent manner, adds considerably 
more to the saleable value of the adja- 
cent lots than it costs to set it apart. 
In other words, for a slight increase in 
lot prices the wholesale dealer in land 
can profitably afford to give something 
which is worth to the purchaser more 
than the amount of the necessary in- 
crease in the price of lots. On the other 
hand, it is possible by a reduction in 
the size of the back yards, so slight as 
not to reduce their practical usefulness, 
to save enough land for these neighbor- 
hood purposes without increasing the 
prices. Some of the lots in Forest Hills 
Gardens, therefore, being intended for 
homes of moderate size, are made shallow- 
er than the customary New York lot 



SYLLABI OF BOSTON-1915 CONFERENCES 



399 



on which the deep, badly lighted tene- to suit every purchaser other lots are 

ment house has developed, and will laid out of the usual depth, and in a 

have the advantages already described fewcasesof more than the usual depth, for 

with no increase of cost; while in order a price that is but slightly advanced. 




■FOREST HILLS- GARDENS 
CCSIGNED .FOR THE -SAGE- FOUNDATION -MQMES- CO • 

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• GROUP YI 

NINE -SS -FOOT -SIMGL.t:- FAMILY -DWELLINGS- lO TO 12 ROOMS- 



SYLLABI OF BOSTON-1915 
CONFERENCES 



The following syllabi have been pre- 
pared by two of the conferences of 
Boston-1915 as indicating the needs 
of the city in the particular fields covered. 
From each of the syllabi will be chosen 
two or more of those projects which 
are most needed and which it is prac- 



ticable to carry through within a reason- 
able time. Several additional conferences 
will have reported before the publication 
of the February number of XEW BOSTON. 
All programs will be co-ordinated by a 
Joint Syllabus Committee made up of rep- 
resentatives from each of the conferences. 



The Neighborhood Conference 
1. Agencies: 

(a) Improvement x\ssociations. 

1 New organizations in those districts not already covered. 

2 Licrease in membership, attendance and interest in associations. 
(6) Settlements and Neighborhood Centres. 

1 Better general knowledge of the undertakings, and results of same in 
existing settlements. 

2 Moral and financial support of same. 

3 The establishment in the suburbs of Boston of a chain of social centres for 
neighborhood welfare. 

4 More general use of the information possessed by the settlements for city 
and neighborhood advancement. 

(c) Better social inter-district relations, such as would be brought about by 
exchange of educational and social courtesies between schools, churches, 
settlements, and improvement associations, etc. 



400 NEW BOSTON 

2. Social: 

(a) Restrictions of saloon and enforcement of laws regarding kitchen bar rooms. 

(b) Social hygiene. 

(c) Study of child labor in relation to 

1 Home. 

2 School. 

3 Industry, 

3. Recreation: 

(a) Enlargement of play facilities. 

1 Concentration of authority with proper financial control to carry out a 
unified program as regards ground, equipment, leadership, instruction, 
use, etc. 

2 Numerous small local playgrounds. 

(a) Use of public school playgrounds out of school hours as far as possible. 

(b) Provision that unused land be used as playgrounds without rental to 
owners, city bearing expense of improvements. 

(c) Provision for use of certain streets for play where other space is not 
available. 

(6) Provisions for lighting playgrounds summer and winter (more for moral 
safety than for play purposes). 

(c) Establishment of broad, shady walks where no parks may be had, especially 
in tenement districts. 

{d) Opening of schools as social neighborhood centres. 

(e) Gymnasia facilities throughout city and higher degree of efficiency in super- 
vision of public gymnasia and swimming baths. 

(/) Licensed places of amusement and promotion of more rational public 
amusement. 

(g) Revision of laws dealing with recreation. 

4. Education: 

(a) Increase of interest in civic affairs. 

1 In all the schools. 

2 In neighborhood centres. 

3 Upon attaining voting age. 

(6) Investigation and report as to advisability of grouping schools about parks. 

(c) Extension of garden work in public schools. 

(d) A system of "no school" signals which would not require the children to 
leave home for information. 

(e) Removal of portable school houses from school yards to other sites. 

5. Sanitation: 

(a) Streets, public alleys, sidewalks. 

1 Greater efficiency in method and personnel for street cleaning. 

2 Legislation for compelling city to clean alleys. 

3 More boxes provided for the disposal of rubbish. 

4 Police enforcement of law compelling tenants to keep sidewalks clean and 
to dispose of rubbish in proper receptacles. 

5 Invention of method of cleaning macadamized streets. 
(6) Houses and yards. 

1 Community spirit to keep houses, yards and fences in good condition. 

2 Law to relieve owners of responsibility for nuisances for which they are not 
accountable. 

3 Removal of garbage, ashes and rubbish. 
(a) Scheduled collection. 

(6) Better methods. 
(c) More frequent collections. 

{d) Regular stated collection of such rubbish as cannot be put into barrels. 
(e) Printed copies of schedule placed in hands of all householders and 
tenants, or conspicuously posted in areas of all houses. 



SYLLABI OF BOSTON-1915 CONFERENCES 401 

(c) Markets and Stores and Bakeries. 

1 Rigid enforcement of all laws concerning grocery stores, markets, provision 
stores, fruit and candy stands, restaurants, etc. 

2 Same, or new laws regarding adjoining walks, alleys, etc. 

(d) Public Buildings. 

1 More frequent and thorough cleaning of all municipal buildings, especially 
school buildings. 

2 Compulsory frequent cleaning of railroad and railway stations, ferry houses 
and approaches to same. 

3 More public convenience stations. 

(e) Enforcement of anti-spitting law. 

(/) Compulsory enclosure by wire fences to keep rubbish from blowing about 
from public dumps and the restraining of children from entering thereon. 
(g) Smoke Nuisance: 

1 Enforcement of laws. 

2 Framing of new laws if necessary. 

(h) Regulations defining the responsibility of tenants for committing nuisances. 

6. Transportation: 

(a) Establishment of Public Service Commission. 
(6) Electrification of steam railroads. 

7. Community Protection: 

(a) Auxiliary fire-alarm system. 

(b) High pressure salt water system for fire purposes. 

(c) Extension of fire district limit. Laws as to building material. 

(d) Better enforcement of and inspection under building laws. 

(e) Increasing of number of miles of overhead wires buried yearly. 
(/) More thorough and systematic treatment of tree pests. 

8. Community Development: 

(a) Tenement House Commission. 
(6) Territory. 

1 Development of suburban occupancy recruited from congested districts. 

2 Dispersion of congestion. 

(c) More public drinking fountains in all thickly inhabited sections. 

(f/) Reduction of lawful noises of various kinds at all times, chiefly late at night 

in crowded districts. 
(e) A law compelling the construction of proper sidewalks throughout the city. 



Fine and Industrial Arts Conference 

1 . Civic Auditorium. 

DRAMA 

2. An investigation of the interest in plays and acting in settlement houses with 
a view to pos.sible correlation of the different efforts. 

3 . An investigation of the possibility of special performances in our regular theaters 
at lower rates or at reduced rates for current plays. 

4. An investigation of the possibility of performances of special plays on holidays 
at lower rates. 

5 . An investigation of the status of the drama in the schools of Boston and the 
nature of the plays acted from time to time by students. 

6. An investigation of existing conditions to determine what form of public theater 
may best be established in Boston, and how soon. It is understood that such 
a public theater shall provide at reasonable rates the best in plays and their 
presentation. 



402 



NEW BOSTON 



MUSIC 

8 . Use of automatic piano players in schools. 

9. Gradual increase of number of municipal concerts given to school children and 
parents. 

10. Investigation of music school settlement. 

11. More extensive popular band concerts. 

(a) In halls in winter, with a nominal charge. 
(c) In prisons. 
{d) In factories. 

12. Responsible censor of programs for proposed concerts. 

13. Organization and extension of people's singing classes. 

14. Series of educational lectures on music. 

15. Reduced rates for special performances and special rates at the Boston Opera 
House for students and certain classes of wage-earners. 

ART 

16. Free art exhibitions at least twice a year in a well-lighted, conveniently situated 
hall with an artistic and public-spirited committee in charge. 

17. Free lectures on industrial arts. 

18. The study of art in our public school system, to be attained as in Amsterdam, 
by sending the children in groups to our Art Museum or to other galleries, 
with a teacher or guide for the purpose of giving them knowledge and a love of 
beautiful things by early familiarity with the best. 



THE OPPORTUNITIES OF DENISON 

HOUSE 



LILIAN MARCHANT SKINNER 



A thoughtful working girl recently 
said, "If people who have nice ways 
only lived where you could see how they 
did, I think you could get on faster." 
This remark expresses the motive which 
placed Denison House where it is, in 
the poorer quarter of the city, now fast 
becoming a foreign quarter. The early 
idea of the college settlement was simple 
and personal. It was to be a good 
neighbor where the good neighbor is 
most needed. To tliis motive the house 
is still faithful, though compelled by it 
to face the most comjjlex of city prol)lems. 
Eighteen years ago the neighborhood was 
Irish; now races from eastern Europe 
and from the Orient have come into the 
nearby streets. This is our great op- 
portunity; to be able to know these 
people truly by living beside them; to 
be able to find out what they are bringing 
to us. 

The Italian work, for which Denison 
House is known the country over, grew 




A NEIGHBORHOOD ALLEY 

out of its willingness to meet a new 
environment, and from courage to face 
new opportunities. Six years ago the 
Italians came into the immediate neigh- 
borhood, and though it is now plain that 
the number near the house is likely to 



THE OPPORTUNITIES OF DENISON HOUSE 



403 



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NEIGHBORHOOD PARTIES 



remain a small group, acquaintance with 
them and interest in the larger problems 
of their life, led to the forming of the 
Circolo Italo-Americano, a club of 
Italians and Americans. The influence 
of the Circolo extends throughout the 
North End, the large Italian quarter 
of the city. A society to preserve Italian 
handicraft has recently been organized 
by a group of workers connected with 
Denison House who are familiar with 
the needs of the Italians through neigh- 
borhood work with them. In the new 
and strange environment of an American 
city, Italians too often lose the arts 
they have brought with them. Es- 
pecially on the part of the men has there 
been great waste of talent, for with no 
knowledge of English they often desert 
their craft and turn to unskilled labor. 
The development of the connection 
of Denison House with the Syrian Colony 
is a story which illustrates the natural 
and simple way in w^hich such relation- 
ships may be formed. These people be- 
gan to come to America twenty years 
ago, impelled, as were other races, by 
stories of opportunity for poor men; 
but it is only for the last five years, since 
military service became compulsory, that 
they have been coming to Boston in 
large numbers. There are about 3,000 
now in the quarter immediately about 
Denison House, on Tyler and Hudson 
streets, on Kneeland and Harvard. They 
come from Damascus and Beyrout, and 
from the country about Lebanon. Here 
they keep fruit stands or restaurants, 



or sell Syrian wares. Kn eight-year-old 
child, explaining her father's fears during 
a time of unemployment, said that they 
liked Boston except when he could not 
get work, but that, remembering a time 
when they had to ask for help, he feared 
the future. Interpreting for her parents, 
who spoke no English, she said: "When 
we came over Boston we found that 
Boston was good for us; we stayed in 
Boston. My father and mother does 
not want to go back to Syria. Please, 
my father and mother like to tell you 
what they did. Please, when my father 
was not working for three weeks, he was 
afraid it would happen like the other 
time. So he was very afraid." The fear 
of the untried which comes in an unknown 
country is hard to bear without the help 
of some person of wider knowledge who 
is not afraid. 

The beginning of the acquaintance 
which brought to these Syrian strangers 
the help of friends stronger than them- 
selves, was on the streets about Denison 
House several summers ago. One of 
the residents noticed very many children 
with rickets and she wanted to know who 
they were and what was wrong that so 
many should be suffering from such a 
disease. From the primary school she 
got their names and addresses, and by 
visiting the mothers she persuaded them 
to allow their children to be properly 
cared for. Through this same summer 
she assisted at the milk station at Deni- 
son House, where modified milk for 
infants is sold; as Syrian women were 



404 



NEW BOSTON 



being sent there by physicians, she came 
to know many of them well. With these 
mothers she started a Syrian Woman's 
Club, where talks on the care of children 
and similar subjects were given. During 
this time, through visits in the homes, 
she came to know the men of the colony, 
who are much better educated than the 
women; and she began to see that there 
was need for a club of educated men. 
Some cases requiring relief came to her 
attention and she formed a committee 
of eight of the most intelligent Syrian 
men to look into cases of need among 
the Syrians for the Associated Charities. 
A year ago a social club for both men and 
women was formed to bring together the 
more serious minded among them, to con- 
serve their influence and to make it count 
for all that it may among their own people. 

Among the more helpless of the colony 
there are many whose high hopes of 
making a home for themselves in this 
new land can be saved by a little help 
at just the right time. They dare tell 
their friends of such crises, and Denison 
House has proved itself powerful and 
ready to help. A little interpreter ex- 
plained that her father was trying to 
buy a new house in the country which 
was owned by five brothers who were 
about to insist upon a larger payment 
than her father had expected to make. 
She writes for her father and mother 
who know no English: "A new house 
has very much money to pay for it. 
Ask them if they can't sell it to my father 
for $250? Please speak to those five 
brothers. They have very much money 
and my father has not very much money ; 
only you please speak to them. They 
do not care because they got a lot of 
money. Please, they have not got any- 
one, only God and you. Please, please, 
please, speak to the five brothers. Selva 
wrote this, but my father and mother 
told me to write this letter to you." 

On the list of Christmas parties to be 
held this season at Denison House appears 
on the first day of the New Year a re- 
ception for the St. John of Damascus 
Society, and on one evening of Christmas 
week a reception for Germaat Surea- 
Americanea, where the entertainment 
is to be the nuisic of a Syrian lute and 
songs by a man whom his countrymen 
call the sweetest singer of Damascus. 

Another party to be given at Christ- 



mas-time is one for another race, the 
Greeks; but these people, though they 
are our neighbors, we do not know. There 
are fifty or sixty families who have come 
from the vicinity of Sparta, living in 
nearby streets, a part of the Boston 
colony of several thousand. There are 
also many single men living without 
their families and without family life, 
as the Greek restaurants near us bear 
witness. They keep little fruit stores 
or push handcarts, or work in hotels 
and restaurants. Our knowledge of 
them comes through the nurse at the 
Denison House modified milk station, 
our reliable outpost for gathering up the 
needs of the people about us. A year 
ago the nurse had only one Greek woman 
coming for the milk; this woman brought 
others, and now there are nine or ten 
who come for properly prepared food for 
their babies. The nurse has no one to 
speak Greek for her and in the many 
visits she must make, finds it hard to 
give them all the attention they need. 
She says: "I do what I can, but much 
more ought to be done, they seem so 
quick, and so eager, and so ready to 
take new ideas." This unentered way 
invites us and would bring rewards as 
rich as those which our acquaintance with 
Italians and Syrians has brought to us. 

When one reflects on the meaning of 
the relationship of men to each other, and 
upon the great gifts which have been 
laid in the hand of the various races, 
such an ojjportunity to know the people 
of Damascus, of Sicily, and of Sparta, 
seems of untold value. Intimate knowl- 
edge of a neighborhood and the sym- 
pathetic understanding of the life of 
its people is the special offering which 
every settlement wishes to make to the 
public good. It is only in the light of 
such understanding that the service of 
mankind may go forward. 

Once upon a time a six-year old child 
was invited by her settlement "teacher" 
to spend a few days in her own home. 
On leaving the child for the night her 
friend said, "Are you afraid of the dark, 
Sarah; shall I leave the light burning?" 
"No," replied Sarah, stolidly, "put it 
out. It costs money to burn a light." 
Our city children are in danger of long 
remaining plunged in a more profound 
darkness of the spirit, because it costs 
money to burn a light. 



THE AMERICAN CIVIC ASSOCIATION 
AT WASHINGTON 



JOHN L. SEWALL 



Victor Hugo's good bishop is one day 
questioned by a member of his house- 
hold, in the midst of his abounding 
philanthropies, as to his consistency in 
devoting so much space in his small 
garden to flower beds. "Monseigneur, 
you who turn everything to account 
have, nevertheless, one useless plot; it 
would be better to grow salads than 
bouquets." "You are mistaken," re- 
plied the bishop, "the beautiful is as 
useful as the useful;" he added, after a 
pause, "More so, perhaps." 

This bit of philosophy accords well 
with the spirit and scope of the American 
Civic Association, which has just held 
its sixth annual conference in the city 
of Washington, and incidentally cele- 
brated in a fitting way the establishment 
of permanent headquarters at the na- 
tion's capital. 

The impression has sometimes pre- 
vailed that this body was more interested 
in the ornamental than in the practical, 
concerned with reaching certain standards 
of aesthetics which are highly com- 
mendable but hardly comparable with 
utilities which are deficient in modern 
cities. The program of these recent 
sessions contradicts that impression. 
President Brunner, of the New York 
chapter of the American Institute of 
Architects, spoke some wise and witty 
words upon this point: "We must 
disabuse the mind of the ordinary man 
on the street," he said, "of the notion 
that city-planning means a scheme im- 
possible devised by a man impractical, 
a plan to tie pink bows on all lamp 
posts"; he declared the need of a new 
word, "beautility," to express the real 
meaning of the association's work. It 
it true that in the past this body has done 
large and heroic work in {)reserving the 
beauties of Niagara and i)ronioting the 
attractiveness of the community tli rough 
the building of parks and abolishing 
bill-boards and superfluous smoke. The 



association still retains its zeal for such 
things, as witnessed by President J. 
Horace McFarland's annual address upon 
the theme "Are State Parks Worth 
While?" in which he thus defined the 
function of all city parks: "It is only 
upon the basis that suitable recreation 
facilities are an indispensable means 
toward preventing life-loss and time- 
loss to productive industry that we may 
argue to the main body of our citizens 
that parks are worth while." Such a 
position is thoroughly utilitarian, and 
far removed from idle sentimentality. 
In this connection it is interesting to 
note Mr. McFarland's reference to Bos- 
ton's Metropolitan Park system as a 
model for park develojiment on a broader 
scale than the limits of a single munici- 
pality. 

Later discussions reviewed the prog- 
ress up to date of attack u}:)on the bill- 
board and smoke nuisances, calling out 
some able and discriminating state- 
ments of how to meet the legal difficul- 
ties in the way of regulating these grow- 
ing evils. Special emphasis was placed 
upon the strengthening of intelligent 
public opinion, and also upon securing 
from state legislatures ample powers to 
aid local authorities in abating such 
nuisances. 

There was one significant incident 
in the conference which showed that the 
superb spirit which made this associ- 
ation a large factor a few years ago in 
saving Niagara Falls is still alive. When 
it was reported that Letchworth Park 
in the Genesee Valley, accepted l>y the 
state of New York under conditions that 
were to preserve it forever inviohite as 
a pleasure resort for' ,the people, had 
been invaded by a proposal from a 
state commission for a great storage 
basin for the benefit of certain ])rivate 
interests, telegrams were prom])tly sent 
both to Gov. White and Gov. -elect 
Dix, protesting against the breach of 



405 



406 



NEW BOSTON 



faith. This proposition, made four days 
after the death of Mr. Letchworth, 
ilhistrates the need of some vigilant 
body Hke the American Civic Associa- 
tion, to continually guard the possessions 
of the community against the covetous 
greed of self-seekers. 

In reviewing the remaining topics 
upon the crowded but well-balanced 
program, one finds the expected atten- 
tion to promoting the attractiveness of 
city environment, but is impressed with 
the direct approach now being made by 
the association to personal problems and 
the needs of individuals. Mrs. Bailey 
brought from Cleveland a most inter- 
esting report of the rapid progress 
during the year of junior civic leagues, 
in which, through the co-operation of 
school authorities, the scholars are being 
organized and admirably guided in the 
responsibilities of approaching citizen- 
ship. By training these youths to care 
for the special range of activities in- 
cluded in the association's program, a 
much broader education in all good 
citizenship is secured. Miss Louise 
Kleine Miller, also from Cleveland, 
reported the marvellous spread of the 
school garden and home garden move- 
ment. One of the most impressive 
portions of her address was the story of 
the proposed monument to the scores 
of children burned to death in the Col- 
linwood holocaust; this is to take the 
form not of a bare shaft of marble, but 
of an exquisite garden, with a fountain 
playing at the very spot where the most 
horrible relics of that disaster were found, 
with suitable colonnades to add im- 
pressiveness to the surroundings. In 
connection with this subject David 
Fairchild, in charge of the government's 
Bureau of Plant Industry, gave a val- 
uable illustrated lecture upon new plants 
for the people's gardens which are being 
brought from foreign lands and adapted 
to American surroundings, while J. 
Lockie Wilson, of Toronto, described the 
generous financial help given by the 
Canadian government to horticultural 
societies across the border. 

Deeply significant of the practical 
purpose of the association, and sug- 
gestive of the influence of the National 
City Planning Conference which has 
now held two annual sessions, was the 



giving of practically an entire day to 
the theme of city-planning. Bostonians 
should be gratified though not sur- 
prised to find that two names locally 
familiar, Frederick Law Olmsted and 
John Nolen, appeared upon this pro- 
gram. One session was presided over 
by Hon. Franklin MacVeagh, who has 
proved such a friend of the city -planning 
work in his own city of Chicago. In 
one of his remarks upon the general 
subject, Mr. MacVeagh, while giving 
due credit to the interest and activities 
of city officials in such matters, de- 
clared with emphasis that we have not 
yet reached the point where we can rely 
wholly upon such assistance, but that we 
must still have the help of outside ex- 
perts and of many unofficial volunteers. 
Mr. Olmsted's A B C of City-Planning 
was a worthy supplement to his address 
upon the general subject at Rochester 
last spring, an abstract of which ap- 
peared at the time in NEW BOSTON. 
Mr. Nolen made his points extremely 
effective by a well-chosen series of 
stereopticon slides, wherein pictured con- 
trasts spoke more loudly than any words. 
The views shown of Washington's pres- 
ent and prospective beauties were highly 
appreciated, as well as Clinton Rogers 
Woodruff's forceful utterances on city 
ideals. It iis noteworthy and most 
gratifying to find the civic association 
recognizing in this manner the large 
place which city-planning is destined to 
have in the near future in any satis- 
fying and comprehensive civic progress. 

The closing session of Friday after- 
noon was devoted to The Typhoid Fly, 
as this familiar resident of our homes 
was described. If it seemed to anyone 
perusing the program in advance that 
it was an exceedingly heavy battery 
turned upon an insignificant object, such 
an impression was dissipated by listening 
to the detailed indictment against this 
foe of health. The motion pictures added 
an effective climax to the afternoon's 
program, and the use of a special film, 
loaned in advance of its general sale to 
the public by the Edison Company, 
brought a most impressive close to the 
conference. 

This brief resume of the program 
indicates the many points in common 
between the American Civic Association 



THE WEST END LOOP 



407 



and agencies for the betterment of civic 
conditions included in the Boston-1915 
movement. The chiims of this national 
body to a more intelligent and sub- 
stantial support were made clearly mani- 
fest in the synopsis of the report of the 
secretary, Richard B. Watrous. His 
skillful but unobtrusive management of 
the sessions shed light upon the effec- 
tive cause back of the progress of this 
last year, which has in nearly all points 
surpassed all previous records. There 
is a small but steadily diminishing debt, 
the legacy of the emergency campaign 
for saving Niagara Falls, which ought 
to be and probably will be removed in 
the near future. The report emphasized 
the campaign to save part of the Yosemite 
Park from the grasp of San Francisco's 



water department; the progress of the 
Saner Fourth campaign, henceforth to 
be designated as by Mayor Gaynor, 
"the old-fashioned Fourth"; the increas- 
ing appreciation on the part of com- 
mercial organizations of the importance 
of the civic association's work in pro- 
moting the material prosperity of the 
city; and a determination to conduct in 
various centers of the country, during 
the coming year, civic revivals, prac- 
tically modeled upon the Civic Advance 
Campaign just held by Boston-1915, 
whose executive secretary was accorded 
a place upon the program, and ample 
opportunity in private to answer many 
eager inquirers into the methods and 
progress of this latest experiment in 
co-operation. 



THE WEST END LOOP 



ALEXANDER WHITESIDE 



The drawing of the proposed subway 
known as the West End Loop shows a 
continuation of the Cambridge Tunnel, 
now being built to Park street, by means 
of a subway under the present Tremont 
Street subway to Scollay square, con- 
tinuing thence under Court street to 
Bowdoin square, and under Cambridge 
street to the Cambridge street end of the 
Cambridge tunnel, thus forming an en- 
largement of the Cambridge tunnel into 
a loop. The loop would have two tracks 
and be so designed as to permit trains 
to run in l^oth directions, so that al- 
ternately trains coming from Cambridge 
should run first, say, via Park street, 
Scollay square and Bowdoin square, and 
next, say, via Bowdoin square, Scollay 
square and Park street. It is planned to 
have stations at Park street, Scollay 
square, Bowdoin square and Charles 
street. 

This specific plan has been advocated 
during the past few months before the 
Joint Board of Railroad Commissioners 
and Transit Commissioners, to whom 
was referred the general subject matter 
of petitions for legislation filed last year 
by Edmund D. Codnian and others. 



The joint board will report to the in- 
coming legislature beforel January 1, 
and then it is up to the legislature to say 
what should be done. 

While this specific plan has been advo- 
cated, its advocates have expressly and 
repeatedly stated that they are not so 
wedded to it as to be unwilling to con- 
sider changes. What we desire is the 
betterment of conditions — real estate, 
business and social — in the Bowdoin 
square and Scollay square districts by 
means of better and fairer transporta- 
tion facilities, and any plan which will 
contribute to such betterment, in whole 
or in part, is just so much to the good. 
If anyone can suggest a better plan 
than our loop we shall be very grateful. 

It can be stated without fear of contra- 
diction that Scollay square has not had 
its share of transportation facilities as 
compared with Park street. It needs 
but one visit to Bowdoin square to satisfy 
an observer that that district has no 
modern means of rapid transit whatever, 
for surface cars in the center of a large 
city are 'not a modern means of rapid 
transit. 

At the hearings before the joint board 



408 



NEW BOSTON 



Pnopbstb Ci^MBFms Loop 

V7/7 PAFV<ST.. 3<:0LL/r/SQ. 

/7/yz> Bowbom sq. 



CuY C Emcrson. 




it was conclusively proved, and not 
contradicted, that real estate values, 
rentals and business interests had actually 
depreciated and suffered in the Bowdoin 
square district on account of the lack 
of transportation facilities, and it was 
proved and not contradicted, that real 
estate at ScoUay square is not so valuable 
as real estate at Park street, and yet 
Scollay square is the most important 
single point in Boston, and the city 
itself has real estate valued at over ten 
millions of dollars within practically a 
stone's throw. 

The policy of the Boston Elevated 
Railroad to make Park street the prin- 
cipal receiving and distributing depot 
of its subway system has of course some 
advantages of economy from the point 
of view of the Elevated. It has, however, 
resulted in an unfair distribution of 
traffic, in forcing some people who 
would prefer to go elsewhere to go to 
Park street, and in an insufferable con- 
gestion at Park street and its vicinity 
both under and above ground. The 
consequence is that Park street has 
attained an artificial importance as a 
center, not justified by its location, and 
that real estate and business interests 



have been helped there far more than 
their share, at the sacrifice of real estate 
and business interests in other sections 
of the city, and to the resulting detri- 
ment of I3oston througli loss of taxes. 

And yet if the Boston Elevated is 
allowed its own way its plans will tend 
to increase rather than diminish this 
undesirable situation. 

Had the Elevated been wise enough, 
or had it been forced to consider as 
part of their transportation problems 
a fair distribution of traffic in various 
parts of the city, Boston would be better 
off than it is. It is not too late to effect 
a remedy, but it will be soon, if the 
Elevated is allowed to carry out its 
plans. 

I do not wish to be understood as 
blaming the Elevated for its attitude. 
Its duty is to its stockholders and it has 
used its best judgment, whether mistaken 
or not, in performing this duty. I am 
not convinced that the Elevated should 
be expected to show public spirit. So 
far in our campaign for the betterment 
of the West End district, the represen- 
tatives of the Elevated have given no 
indication whatever that they care 
whether their solution of transportation 



THE WEST END LOOP 



409 



problems ruined individual real estate 
owners and business people. I am not 
blaming the Elevated for this. I am 
merely stating a fact. But if it is not 
the part of the Elevated to consider 
such matters, it seems to me that they 
might very rightly be considered by 
the legislature and the people of Boston 
and vicinity. 

During the hearings before the joint 
board it was shown by the Elevated's 
own figures that there were actually 
more cars running over the Cambridge 
bridge to Bowdoin square than over 
the Harvard bridge to Park street, and 
that a larger number of passengers daily 
left such cars at Bowdoin square and 
ScoUay square than boarded Harvard 
bridge line cars at Park street. This 
would seem to indicate that more people 
desire to go from Cambridge to Bowdoin 
square and ScoUay square than to Park 
street, and yet the Elevated by building 
the tunnel under Beacon Hill to Park 
street proposes to wipe Bowdoin square 
off the map so far as transportation 
facilities are concerned; and, further, 
to make it much more difficult for people 
to go from Cambridge to Scollay square 
than from Cambridge to Park street. 

One of the features of the plan which 
we advocated was the removal of the 
present structure now standing in the 
center of Scollay square and the sub- 
stitution of more suitable ones which 
would not so interfere with traffic and 
business conditions. This is a very 
important matter and one which ought 
to be given thorough consideration. 



The Chamber of Commerce, after 
considering through one of its committees 
various suggestions for subways, in- 
cluding our general plan, decided that 
it would be wise to have a thorough 
study made by some duly authorized 
public board, or boards, of the whole 
street transportation problem of Boston 
and its vicinity, with a view to getting 
a comprehensive plan which would be 
for the best interests of all concerned. 
This is a very wise suggestion which 
ought to be vigorously and intelligently 
carried out; and if the legislature will 
authorize such a consideration and, 
pending it, will postpone all proposed 
subway plans, — including the subway 
from Park street to the South Station 
and thence to South Boston and Dor- 
chester, the Riverbank subway, the 
Boylston Street merchants' plan, and, 
of course, our plan, — I should be per- 
fectly wiUing to let our general plan, 
namely, the betterment by additional 
subway facilities of conditions in the 
Scollay square district, and the Bowdoin 
square district, take its chances in such 
a comprehensive study. 

I fully realize the burdens and obli- 
gations of the Elevated Railway and the 
difficult problems which it has to solve, 
and I can heartily commend much that 
the Elevated has done and does, but I 
think that it has gone astray on this 
question of a fair distribution of traffic 
in Boston, and I believe that public 
opinion, moderately and intelligently 
expressed, will bring the company to 
see the matter in its true light. 



THE BOYLSTON STREET 
SUBWAY PLAN 

CHARLES J. RICH 

Resident Manager HoUis Street Theater, Colonial and Park Theaters, Boston 



The article on the Riverbank subway, 
by March G. Bennett in your December 
issue, appears to me to be so much 
lieside the real issue as to require a reply. 
I take it that your very interesting 
magazine, NEW BOSTON, is to serve 
as a public forum, and as one interested 
in the general movement for a greater 
and better Boston, I am taking this 
occasion to express my views on present 
transportation suggestions. The matter 
of subways is of such vital importance 
at this time that it seems to me that every 
well-intentioned citizen of Greater Boston 
should give it his very best considera- 
tion. 

We must bear in mind as we read the 
statements in the Boston Elevated Rail- 
way Company's advertisements that the 
electric street car service, including the 
subways and elevated lines, has grown 
from a comparatively small proposition, 
serving an area within a radius of three 
miles approximately from the State 
House, to one serving an area of about 
ten miles; and in this larger district 
vastly more routes are now operated 
than was the case at the time when the 
Tremont Street Subway was built. This 
growth in the suburbs is the reason for 
the demand for improvements which 
will adequately supply rapid transit in 
the city proper through means of sub- 
ways. 

Every well-informed citizen must recog- 
nize that the real Boston is the social 
and commercial community composed 
of the people living within the whole 
metropolitan area lying within a radius 
of fifteen miles from the State House. 
The residents within this district are 
dependent upon Boston, and conversely, 
the interests of the center are dependent 
upon its suburban population to an even 
greater degree. Therefore, it must be 
recognized that the welfare of each is 
absolutely dependent upon the general 



and larger welfare of the whole. 1 
wish expressly to deny that selfish in- 
terest should be considered, and I do not 
see that either the Boylston Street 
Merchants' Association or the plan which 
its members are furthering, has any- 
thing of this element of selfishness in it. 
Their opposition to the Riverbank Sub- 
way is simply the intelligent and un- 
selfish effort of well-intentioned people 
who are trying to save the community 
from taking a misconceived action which, 
if its misguided promoters are allowed 
to proceed with it, will forever stand as 
a monument underground of what 
selfish purpose may lead a community 
into. 

We must consider the future effect 
of any further extension both as regards 
business progress in the city proper 
and its utility to the suburbs. It cannot 
be said that I, whose interest is not in 
any way identified with Boylston street 
above Park Square, am advancing these 
views for selfish interest alone. I am 
speaking in the interest of the public. 

I am not one of those who decry the 
Boston Elevated system in any way 
and have no desire for notoriety. When, 
however, I see a plan so thoroughly 
feasible, reasonable and so remarkably 
efficient, I feel that it is my duty to 
raise my voice in its support. Besides 
combining the feature of a long way 
subway through a growing and well- 
improved business district and that of 
accommodation and express service by 
means of a four track way, the Boylston 
street plan presents a suggestion for 
relief at Park street by bringing the 
Cambridge line to Boylston street and 
Park Square. That is something that 
patrons of the theaters can appreciate 
from actual experience, as this change 
does away with the necessity of 
transferring 'at this point, with [ all the 
consequent danger and bother attending 



410 



THE BOYLSTON STREET SUBWAY PLAN 



411 



thereto, in order to get into the theater 
district. Anyone visiting the Park street 
station fifteen minutes before or after 
eight o'clock of an evening will appreci- 
ate the value of this suggestion. 

The South Station connection is an 
important element. When the Wash- 
ington street subway was built and 
opened to the public, a tremendous cry 
arose because there was no connection pro- 
vide with the South Station from Boyl- 
ston street. As a matter of fact the public 
was unfamiliar with the plans for the 
Washington Street Tunnel and its con- 
nections, and the newspai)ers must have 
been, for not a word was said about this 
lack until after the tunnel was opened. 
Then the newspapers gave a pretty 
thorough lashing to the authorities who 
were responsible for this oversight. 

The Boylston street station has al- 
ways been the recognized point from 
which connection should be made with the 
South Station. People of East Boston, 
Chelsea, Charlestown, Winthrop and 
other points to the north find it very 
inconvenient ito [[get into^ this section. 
This connection with the South Station 
will serve the purpose of effecting what 
will be practically a through line from 
the points north of Boston to points 
to the south and west. 

Daniel A. Griffin's estimate is that 
about 25,000 are affected daily or nightly 
by lack of such transit connections. 
The figure is modest. The people to the 
north of Boston find it very hard to get 
into the Back Bay district where so 
many important functions occur almost 
daily. 

I simply mention these few facts to 
show the great general value of the Boyl- 
ston street plan to the whole community. 
Its principle is right. It represents through 
service from the districts south and west 
to north and east without unduly pro- 
moting congestion at any point, while it 
has the advantage of relieving the con- 
gestion at Park street. 

Considerable talk has been made about 
what the Elevated will do regarding the 
unimportant question of stations on the 
Riverbank route; but as to the real 
question of what the Elevated must 
do, ^in consideration of ^ the rights and 
privileges which this corporation has 
obtained from the people, in regard to the 



general scheme and effort to improve the 
welfare and progress of this whole dis- 
trict, we hear decidedly little. One fact 
is pre-eminent above all others — that 
our electric lines center too much at one 
point and that point is Park street under 
the Common, there forming a terminal 
which is really a monster barrier to 
business progress. It is useless to claim 
that this is the fault of anyone, whether 
of the Boston Transit Commission, or 
the Boston Elevated Railway Company. 
The point is that this situation must be 
relieved and the plan which will best 
mitigate or remove this obstacle from 
the path of progress is the one to be 
pursued. While it is a fact that people 
from the western suburbs who will be 
served by the Riverbank Subway desire 
to get to Park street and should have the 
facilities for so doing, that item is only 
one part of the whole question. 

The Riverbank Subway offers only 
one possible advantage, that of rapid 
transit from and to Park street station, 
and does not in any way offer relief of 
that congested point. Its route is 
through a residential section whose 
population can best be served by sur- 
face lines rather than by subway, 
and people living there are sure to be dis- 
turbed in the daytime, and much more so 
at night, by the noise of heavy cars or 
trains. Through the strenuous demand 
of some in this very small section for 
stations en route, the one and only ad- 
vantage this route offers now bids fair 
to be lost. 

The Riverbank Subway was a make- 
shift alternative which was accepted by 
the Boston Elevated road as such, wdtli 
the understanding that tbey were to be 
relieved from the liability to contract 
for the lease of another subway to be 
built east of the Washington street 
tunnel, which Mr. Bennett not very 
naively states would have cost about 
five times as much, or about $15,000,000. 
It did not have the approval and was 
not suggested by the Transit Commission 
in its report back to the Legislature, 
while that board did suggest an extension 
of the original subway up Boylston street. 
The Riverbank Subway was acceptable 
to the residents of Newton, Brookline, 
Brighton, Allston and other sections in 
the suburbs affected because it was the 



412 



NEW BOSTON 



07ily thing that, after years of effort on 
their 'part, they could obtain for rapid 
transit. 

Mr. Bennett indicates that the Boston 
Elevated Railway Company accepted 
this proposition simply to gain time, and 
says that the company still desires to 
postpone construction. Certainly it does, 
because it recognizes the futility of such 
a makeshift and incompetent proposi- 
tion. 

Mr. Bennett says that the Riverbank 
Subway is the cheapest of them all. It 
is; in fact it is too cheap. He further 
says that it solves for all time the old 
and irritating question of preserving 
Boston Common from further encroach- 
ment. If it does do this, it does it in a 
wrong way, because it further encroaches 
on space imder the Common nearer its 
center and under area occupied by grand 
and beautiful old trees, the life of which 
will certainly be in danger from the con- 
struction of the station and loop for the 
Riverbank Subway, even if on the sur- 
face not much greater space be taken 
for an outlet. I think it certain that if 
this route is extended to Park street, 
accommodation must be allowed and 
suitable entrances and exits provided, 
which will mean still further encroach- 
ment on the surface of the Common. 

Mr. Griffin of the Boylston Street 
Merchants' Association informs me that 
the figure of $3,700,000 was obtained 
from the acting chief engineer of the 
Boston Transit Commission; better au- 
thority in my opinion for information 
than the advertisements of the Boston 
Elevated Railway Company, which was 
the source of Mr. Bennett's information 
of $3,000,000 as the estimated cost of the 
Riverbank "tube." It is absurd for 
experts, let alone laymen, to be too 
positive as to questions of cost in matters 
of this kind. Now the Boston Transit 
Commission, I understand, states that 
the Riverbank Subway will exceed the 



board's estimate of $3,700,000 and that 
it may cost more than $4,000,000. 

I am inclined to agree with Mr. 
Griffin on the question of damages, 
which, under the Riverbank act, clearly 
allows broad claims, and the totals 
stated may not be far wrong. At the 
hearing before the Boston Transit Com- 
mission given to the committee of prop- 
erty owners, for consideration of the 
relocation of the western outlet, where 
at least a score expressed their views, 
this question of damages was not the 
least one discussed. But the element of 
cost is of no account whatsoever if the 
results obtained shall be efficient in the 
greatest degree as in the proposed Boylston 
street plan. 

Mr. Bennett's statement that the 
Boylston street plan is "merely the 
hastily sketched plan of an engineer 
hired for the purpose" is very amusing, 
when that plan has absolutely every 
advantage without an objectionable feat- 
ure, and supplies the maximum of 
efficiency not only for the present, but 
for all time in the future. Besides serv- 
ing every element of transportation for 
which it is designed, it conserves the 
property and business interest of nearly 
thirty-five per cent of the total property 
value of the city without causing loss to 
anyone. I will not undertake to go into 
a comparison between the two plans, but 
will simply advise readers of this maga- 
zine to obtain copies of the November 
and December issues and to read Mr. 
Griffin's article and contrast his fair, 
simple statement wdth the remarks of 
Mr. Bennett. 

No public improvement has had the 
unqualified editorial support of the press 
to the extent enjoyed by the Boylston 
street plan. I am in favor of the Boyls- 
ton street plan, and write simply to do 
my duty as a good citizen in favor of a 
plan worthy, in my opinion, of the sup- 
port of every good citizen. 



THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT 



There is some confusion as to the ex- 
act origin of the boy scout idea, but it 
seems quite clear that credit for the de- 
velopment of the movement should be 
shared by Ernest Thompson-Seton and 
Lieut. -Gen. Sir Robert S. S. Baden- 
Powell. Any controversy between these 
gentlemen as to their relative interest is 
now harmonized and they are working 
in hearty co-operation. Special features 
of Thompson-Seton's early woodcraft and 
scouting work have been adopted by 
Gen. Baden-Powell, and many of the 
features of Gen. Baden-Powell's English 
Scout Movement have been adopted by 
Thompson-Seton in the Boy Scouts of 
America. 

The Boy Scout Movement in England 
assumed definite shape early in 1908, but 
it was not until early in 1910 that the 
movement appeared positively in the 
United States, when various movements 
in different parts of the country sprang 
up almost simultaneously. 

The Boy Scouts of America was in- 
corporated in the District of Columbia, 
February 8, 1910. 

The American Boy Scout was incor- 
porated in the state of New York in 
June, 1910. 

Other organizations early in the field 
were the Boy Scouts of the United 
States, under the leadership of the Na- 
tional Highway Protective Association 
of New York, directed by Col. Peter S. 
Bomus, the National Boy Scouts or- 
ganized by General Verbeck, of the 
Military School at Manlius, N. Y. 

Organizations such as the Boy Pio- 
neers, or the Sons of Daniel Boone, the 
Woodcraft Indians, and others all hav- 
ing as a principal motive the scouting 
idea, have sprung up in various places. 
Most of them are distinctly local in 
character, like our own Boston City 
Guard, organized by Frank O. Carpenter, 
of the English High School. 

The Boy Scouts of the United States, 
the National Boy Scouts, the Boy 



* This paper was read on December 6 at a meeting held 
in the City Club to explain the boy scout movement. 
The committee that prepared the report consisted of 
Samuel Shuman, Edwin Mulready, Arthur A. Wordell, 
Arthur Adams and Frank L. Locke. 



Pioneers and the Woodcraft Indians have 
consolidated with the Boy Scouts of 
America. 

Outside of the two organizations, the 
Boy Scouts of America and the i\.merican 
Boy Scout, the organizations not al- 
ready consolidated with one of these 
organizations are distinctly local in 
character and seem to call for no special 
comment. . . . 

The striking similarity in title adopted 
by the two leading organizations. Boy 
Scouts of America and Ameiican Boy 
Scouts, has led to no little confusion. 
Magazine and newspaper articles as 
well as statements and letters of promi- 
nent men, referring to the general scout 
idea, or perhaps endorsing particularly 
one of the leading organizations, have 
undoubtedly been misconstrued as special 
endorsement of the other organization. 

The Boy Scouts of America was in- 
corporated by W. D. Boyce, Edward S. 
Stewart and Stanley Willis, in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia, February 8, 1910. 
Meetings were held during the early 
spring and summer culminating in the 
formation of a national committee and 
opening of headquarters at 124 East 
Twenty-eighth street. New York City, 
on June 1, 1910. The president of the 
United States, William H. Taft, is the 
honorary president, and Colonel Theo- 
dore Roosevelt, the honorary vice-presi- 
dent. The present board of managers is 
W. D. Boyce, Chicago; Colin H. Living- 
stone, Washington, D. C; George D. 
Pratt, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn; Morti- 
mer L. Schiff, Kuhn, Loeb & Co., New 
York City; Wm. D. Murray, Plainfield, 
N. J.; Seth Sprague Terry, Montclair, 
N. J.; Lucien T. Warner, Bridgeport, 
Conn.; Frank Presbrey; Lee F. Hanmer 
and E. M. Robinson, New York City, 
and ex ojficio, Ernest Thompson-Seton; 
Adjutant General William Verbeck, state 
of New York; Dan Beard, Flushing, L. I.; 
and Col. Peter S. Bomus, of New York 
City. 

The American Boy Scout was incor- 
porated by William R. Hearst, James F. 
McGrath and James R. O'Beirne, in 
the state of New York, in June, 1910. 



413 



414 



NEW BOSTON 



The first meeting for organization was 
held in May in New York City. 

The honorary vice-presidents and 
founders are, Col. John Jacob Astor, 
William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., Major-Gen. 
Fred D. Grant, G. Otis Draper, Lieut. - 
Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Henry Clews, 
Gen. E. A. McAlpin, William G. Mc- 
Adoo, Lieut. -Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, 
Jefferson Seligman, Mortimer L. Schiff, 
Chauncey M. Depew, William Nelson 
Cromwell, Cornelius N. Bliss, Bradley 
Martin, Jr., Gen. Edward L. Molineux, 
John Miles, Robert V. Van Cortlandt, 
James W\ Gerard, V. Everit Macy, 
Samuel McRoberts, Dr. Edward Weston, 
Simon N. Rothschild, William B. Walker, 
J. A. Goulden and Jacob C. Schiff. 

The following departments have been 
organized : 

Department of Atlantic, headquarters, 
239 Broadway, New York City. De- 
partment of Middle W^est, headquarters, 
Chicago, 111. Department of Northwest, 
headquarters, San Francisco, Cal. De- 
partment of Southwest, headquarters, 
Los Angeles, Cal. 

The ofiicers of the Department of 
Atlantic are William R. Hearst, presi- 
dent; Jefferson M. Levy, first vice- 
president; Charles P. Devare, second 
vice-president; James R. O'Beirne, treas- 
urer and James F. McGrath, secretary, 
and they also serve at present as the 
national committee. 

Organization was begun in Boston in 
June, but not completed until August 
or September. The Department of New 
England has established headquarters 
at 5 Bromfield street, with the following 
committee: Gen. William H. Oakes, 
M.V.M., retired, chief department scout; 
Charles W. Birtwell, Children's Aid 
Society; Major P. F. O'Keefe, M.V.M., 
retired; Rev. A. H. Wheelock, pastor 
Marlboro Congregational Church, Chap- 
lain State Grange; Lieut. A. P. Coleman, 
Adjutant General Boys Brigade; and with 
George H. Gordon, Boston American, as 
secretary. 

The objects of the Boy Scouts of 
America according to paragraph 3 of the 
Articles of Incorporation reads: 

"The particular business and objects of the so- 
ciety are to organize the boys of the District of 
Columbia and elsewhere in the United States, into 
units, and to teach them, or cause them to be 



taught, through duly designated leaders, discipline, 
patriotism, courage, habits of observation and 
self-control and ability to care for themselves in 
all exigencies of life." 

Article 2 of the American Boy Scout 
constitution reads : 

"The object of this association shall be: The 
mental, moral and physical training of the American 
boy; the inculcation of obedience and loyalty to 
parents, to superiors and employers; the protection 
of girls and women; adherence to the Scout's Oath 
and Law, and fealty to Country and the Flag, and 
as specified in the certificate of incorporation of 
this Association." 

The motto of the Boy Scouts of Amer- 
ica is "Be prepared," and of the American 
Boy Scout, "Semper Paratus" — always 
prepared. 

The Boy Scouts of iVmerica requires 
that 

"Before he becomes a scout a boy must take the 
scout's oath, thus: 
"On my honor I promise that I will do my best. 

1. To do my duty to God and my country. 

2. To help other people at all times. 

3. To obey the scout law." 

The scout law is: 

1. A scout's honor is to be trusted. 

If a scout were to break this honor by telling a 
lie, or by not carrying out an order exactly when 
trusted on his honor to do so, he may be directed 
to hand over his scout badge, and never to wear it 
again. He may also be directed to cease to be a 
scout. 

2. A scout is loyal to his country, his officers, 
his parents, and his employers. He must stick to 
them through thick and thin against anyone who is 
their enemy or who even talks badly of them. 

3. A scout's duty is to be useful and to help 
others. He must be prepared at any time to save 
life or to help injured persons. And he must try 
his best to do a good turn to somebody every day. 

4. A scout is a friend to all, and a brother to 
every other scout, no matter to what social class 
the other belongs. 

A scout must never be a snob. A snob is one 
who looks down upon another because he is poorer, 
or who is poor and resents another because he is 
rich. A scout accepts the other man as he finds 
him, and makes the best of him. 

5. A scout is courteous. That is, he is polite to 
all, but especially to women and children, and old 
people and invalids, cripples, etc. And he must not 
take any reward for being helpful or courteous. 

6. A scout is a friend to animals. He should 
save them as far as possible from pain, and should 
not kill any animal unnecessarily. Killing an 
animal for food is allowable. 

7. A scout obeys orders of his parents, patrol 
leader, or scout master without question. 

Even if he gets an order he does not like he must 
do as soldiers and sailors do, he must carry it out 
all the same because it is his duty; and after he 
has done it he can come and state any reasons 



THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT 



415 



against it; but he must carry out the order at once. 
That is discipline. 

8. A scout smiles and whistles under all cir- 
cumstances. ^Mien he gets an order he should 
obey it cheerily and readily, not in a slow, hang 
dog sort of way. Scouts never grumble at hard- 
ships, nor whine at each other, nor swear when 
put out. The punishment for swearing or using 
bad language is for each offense a mug of cold 
water to be poured down the offender's sleeve by 
the other scouts. It was the punishment invented 
by the old scout, Captain John Smith, three hun- 
dred years ago. 

9. A scout is thrifty, that is, he saves every 
penny he can and puts it into the bank, so that he 
ma J' have money to keep himself when out of work, 
and thus not make himself a burden to others; or 
that he may have money to give away to others 
when they need it. 

The Boy Scouts of America divides 
its membership into three classes as 
follows : 

TENDERFOOT 

A boy on joining the Boy Scouts must pass a 
test in the following points before taking the oath: 

Know the scout's laws and signs, and salute. 

Know the composition of the national flag and 
the right way to fly it. 

Tie four out of the following knots: Reef, sheet 
bend, clove hitch, bowline, middleman's, fisher- 
man's, sheep-shank. 

He then takes the scout's oath, and is enrolled 
as a Tenderfoot, and is entitled to wear the button- 
hole badge. 

SECOND-CLASS SCOUT 

Before being awarded the second-class scout's 
badge a Tenderfoot must pass the following tests: 

1. Have at least one months service as a Tender- 
foot. 

2. Elementary first aid and bandaging. 

3. Signaling, elementary knowledge of sema- 
phore or Morse alphabet. 

4. Track a half mile in twenty-five minutes; 
or, if in a town, describe satisfactorily the contents 
of one store window out of four, observed for one 
minute each, 

5. Go a mile in twelve minutes at "scout's pace." 
C. Lay and light a fire, using not more than two 

matches. 

7. Cook a quarter of pound of meat and two 
potatoes without cooking utensils other than the 
regulation billy. 

8. Have at least twenty-five cents in a savings 
bank. 

9. Know- the si.xt'een principal points of the 
compass. 

FIRST-CLASS SCOUT 

Before being awarded a first-class scout's badge, 
a scout must pass the following tests, in addition 
to the tests laid down for second-class scouts. 

1. Swim fifty yards (N. B. — This may be omitted 
where the doctor certifies that bathing is dangerous 
to the boy's health, in which case he must run a 
mile in eight minutes, or perform some equivalent 
selected by the scoutmaster.) 

2. Must have fifty cents at least in the savings 
bank. 



3. Signaling. Send and receive a message 
either in semaphore or Morse, sixteen letters per 
minute. 

4. Go on foot, or row a boat, alone to a point 
seven miles away and return again; or, if conveyed 
by any vehicle or animal, go to a distance of fifteen 
miles and back, and write a short report on it. It 
is preferable that he .should take two days over it. 

5. Describe or show the proper means for saving 
life in case of two of the following accidents (al- 
lotted by the examiners); Fire, drowning, runaway 
carriage, sewer gas, ice breaking, or bandage an 
injured patient, or revive apparently drowned 
person. 

6. Cook satisfactorily two out of the following 
dishes, as may be directed: Porridge, bacon, 
hunter's stew, or skin and cook a rabbit, or pluck 
and cook a bird. Also make a "damper" of half a 
pound of flour or a "twist" baked on a thick stick. 

7. Read a map correctly and draw an intelligent 
rough sketch map. Point out a compass di- 
rection without the help of a compass. 

8. Use an axe for felling or trimming light tim- 
ber; or as an alternative, produce an article or 
carpentry or joinery or metal work, made by him- 
self, satisfactorily. 

9. Judge distance, size, numbers and height 
within 25 per cent error. 

10. Bring a Tenderfoot trained by himself in 
the points required for a tenderfoot. 

Care is taken that only those boys properly 
certified by scout masters or authorized committees 
may use the uniform or badges denoting the various 
grades of accomplishment. 

It is required of those furnishing uniforms that 
they sell only on presentation by purchaser of a 
properly signed certificate. 

The American Boy Scout in Articles 
18 and 19 of the constitution reads: 

Article XVIII. 

"Boys of good character, between the ages of 
twelve and eighteen, who subscribe to the scout 
law and take the scout oath, shall be eligible to 
membership in county and state branches. 

Existing cadet corps, boys' clubs, athletic associ- 
ations and other organizations whose purpose is 
the upbuilding of character and physique of the 
American boy shall be eligible to membership in 
county and state branches by subscribing to the 
scout law, and oath, and as herein provided. Such 
organizations may preserve their individual uni- 
forms if they so desire, provided there is attached 
thereto the scout badge. 

Article XIX. 

Enlistments shall be for a term of one year for 
the first enlistment, and for one year or more in 
all succeeding enlistments. Enlistments shall be 
made on approved enlistment blanks, and shall be 
countersigned by the applicants* parents or guar- 
dian. 

Written application for membership 
with endorsed approval of parent or 
guardian and subscription by the ap- 
plicant to the scouts' oath and the scout 
law is required. 

The oath is identical with that of the 



416 



NEW BOSTON 



Boy Scouts of America, and its scout 
law is the same save for slightly different 
wording of perhaps two or three para- 
graphs and the addition of the para- 
graph: 

"A scout is the protector of girls and 
women at all times — ^and he holds this 
a sacred duty." 

It will be noted that in addition to 
subscription to the scout law and taking 
the scout's oath, substantially the same 
in both organizations, the Boy Scouts of 
America require for admission the pass- 
ing of certain mental and manual tests, 
and that promotion in the different 
grades of membership is dependent on 
the successful passing of like prescribed 
tests. 

It is difficult to obtain accurate figures, 
but the New York office of the Boy 
Scouts of America report a membership 
of something over 250,000 with some 
3,000 leaders. The Boston headquarters 
of the American Boy Scout estimates 
a total enrollment of 100,000 with some 
over 15,000 in New England and up- 
wards of 5,000 in greater Boston, 

In the earlier days of the movement, 
enrollment in the American Boy Scout 
was more rapid than in the other or- 
ganization from the fact that in the 
Boy Scouts of America, great stress has 
been laid on perfecting the organization, 
in securing the proper leaders before 
attempting to organize any groups, 
while in the American Boy Scout the 
stress has been laid upon first getting 
together large groups of boys to prove to 
the public the demand for the movement, 
and then perfecting the organization by 
selection of suitable leaders. 

In this connection Mr. Gordon, sec- 
retary of the Department of New Eng- 
land, of the American Boy Scout, 
states that Mr. Hearst in speaking to 
their Boston committee at the time of 
its formation, said the only reason for 
starting the American Boy Scout was 
that apparently nothing was being done 
and he felt the movement should be 
taken up by men of large influence and 
given wide publicity. On the other hand 
we have the statement of Mr. Robinson 



of the Boy Scouts of America Committee 
that he was present at what he under- 
stood to be the first meeting of the 
American Boy Scout Committee in New 
York, and notified the committee of the 
work of the Boy Scouts of America and 
protested against the formation of a 
second organization. 

Both organizations solicit the member- 
ship of existing boys' clubs, athletic 
associations, settlement groups and Other 
groups working with boys, and such 
organizations are allowed to preserve 
their identity and the pursuit of their 
particular lines of endeavor conforming 
only to the main principles of the scout 
idea. 

From the literature and from the 
names of the leaders of the two move- 
ments, the impression is given that in 
the American Boy Scout the military 
feature is more prominent than in the 
Boy Scouts of America. 

Both organizations are non-sectarian. 

The impression that the Boy Scouts 
of America is under the control of the 
Young Men's Christian Association is 
incorrect. The location of the New York 
office of the Boy Scouts of America in 
the Twenty-eighth street building of the 
Young Men's Christian Association, and 
the fact that Mr. Alexander, the managing 
secretary of the Boy Scouts, left a position 
with the Christian Association of Phila- 
delphia, to take up the scout work, may 
have been in part at least the cause 
of this misunderstanding. Communica- 
tions from the Boy Scouts of America 
and from the National Committee of 
the Young Men's Christian Association 
received in answer to your committee's 
inquiry are submitted herewith. The 
committee finds that the location of 
the National Headquarters of the Boy 
Scouts of America in the Young Men's 
Christian Association building was oc- 
casioned by a business arrangement 
advantageous to the Boy Scouts Com- 
mittee, rather than on account of any 
affiliation with the Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association and that Mr. Alexander 
has at present no official connection with 
the association. 



A METROPOLITAN CITY PLAN 



BOJ^TOTM 



'^ !- ij t:. i V t iJ j 

^^'^ ' 4 19 11 1' ^ 



ll^ 



V. 



«^1 



51l_ 



ffUBUI.51iED BYBOvSTOM I9I5IMC_ 
6 BEAC07SI v5T- D03T0AI .MA3JV3A— 

CENT3 A COPV- ONI. D OLLAILA 



OL. 1 



FEBRUARY, 1911 



NO. 10 




THE CALL OF WINTER 

LIGHT Light and Heat— SOFT, NATURAL, STRONG, 

^I^Q LIGHT, and QUICK, POWERFUL HEAT— these 

lip A-r are the requirements of the crisp, short days of Fall 
and Winter. 

JHE The MANTLE GAS LAMP, with its POWER- 

MANTLE FUL, YET SOFT AND WHITE LIGHT meets the 

I A M P ^^^^ need most satisfactorily. Varying in size from the 
25 c. p. lamp costing l-12c per hour, to the gas arc 
lamp of 500 c. p. costing 1 3-lOc per hour, the gas lamp 
fills every demand of artistic home or exacting office 
and factory. 

THE GAS ^^^ ^^S STEAM RADIATOR, giving a 

STEAM STRONG STEADY FLOW OF HEAT, is AUTO- 

R A n I ATO R MATICALLY REGULATED by its own steam pres- 
sure to the lowest possible gas consumption. ECO- 
NOMICAL AND EFFICIENT, it is particularly well 
fitted for long-hour service in business and house alike. 



Til p OA^ "^^^ GAS LOG, with its cheery blaze, gives an 

I Qp INSTANT, POWERFUL HEAT, quickly dispelling 
the chill of early morning. Just the thing for bedroom, 
dining room, library and office. 

Gas heaters are supplied in a great variety of 
forms, for every use. 

Send for a representative. 

BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS COMPANY 

Telephone Commercial Department, Oxford 1690 24 West Street 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



FEBRUARY, 1911 



No. 10 



CONTENTS 






NOTE AND COMMENT 419 

THE CITY PLANNING REPORT 419 

A METROPOLITAN PROBLEM 419 

TO PROTECT THE MILK SUPPLY 420 

POWERS OF MILK INSPECTION 420 

A PUBLIC LANDING, OLD AND NEW 421 

A NEW COLLEGE COURSE 421 

GOVERNOR FOSS'S MESSAGE 422 

CIVIC AUDITORIUMS 42.2 

A SOUND CIVIC INVESTMENT Emil Seidel 423 

THE GREATER BOSTON FEDERATION OF CHURCHES Rev. E. T. Root 424 

THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD EYESIGHT Henry Copley Greene 425 

NEED OF MORE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS BY THE STATE 

BOARD OF REGISTRATION IN MEDICINE Richard C. Cabot, M. D.. 430 

PLANNING FOR THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT Arthur A. Shurtleff 432 

THE WAYFARER AND THE PUBLIC IN BOSTON George L. Warren 435 

COMPENSATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS Carroll W. Doten 440 

BOSTON'S HOUSING LAWS Edward T. Hartman 443 

CO-OPERATIVE INFORMATION BUREAU G. W. Lee 446 

REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF THE " LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE "John W. DeBruyn 449 

THE NEW Y. M. C. A. BUILDING George W. Mehaffey 454 

CONVENIENCE STATIONS AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS 455 

WHAT THE AUTO HAS DONE FOR BOSTON Chester I. Campbell 457 



Published Monthly by Boston-1915, Inc. 
6 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass., U. S. A. 



Subscription rates: $1.00 per annum; club rate for twenty or more subscriptions from any organ- 
ization devoted to civic or social improvement, sent in one list, fifty cents per copy per annum. 

Single copies, 10 cents each. 

Entered as second-class matter at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Advertising Manager 



NEW BOSTON 











ATLANTIC DECORATING CO. 

BOSTON. MASS. 

Main Offices 5 Park Square 

Branch ----- 529 Tremont Temple 
Warehouses - - - 80 Farnham St., Roxbury 




Architects and Constructors of 
All the Noted Shows in Boston 


For Designs and Estimates address E. W. CAMPBELL, General Manager 









545 Washington Street 
Boston, Mass. 



B. F. KEITH'S 

BIJOU THEATRE 



Open dally from 9.30 A. M. to 

10.30 P. M. 
Sunday 6.30 to 10.30 P. M. 



TO THE PUBLIC: 

The Bijou aims to provide a varied, artistic and wholesome entertainment 
designed to appeal to people of intelligence, presented amid well-ordered sur- 
roundings and offered to the public for a small admission. 

That the Bijou is a pioneer in demonstrating the artistic possibilities of the 
picture theatre is the opinion of many discriminating critics. 

All who disapprove of The Moving Picture Theatre and do not believe in its 
existence, are invited to visit the Bijou, at 545 Washington Street. Although 
we show motion pictures, we do not run a " Moving Picture Show." 

PROGRAMME 



Motion Pictures at their Best 

The subjects carefully selected, and includ- 
ing the work of the leading American and 
European producers. 

Camera Chats 

By a trained reader, on interesting phases 
of life at home and abroad. 

Stereopticon Views 

Events of local and world-wide interest pic- 
tured in specially made slides. 



One-Act Plays 

Revivals and New Plays — the best example 
of the short drama, carefully produced. 

IVIusic 

Vocal and Instrumental Solos; high-grade 
but not too classical; pleasing but not too 
commonplace. 

A special effort is made to have music ac- 
companying the pictures well rendered and inter- 
pretive. 



JOSEPHINE CLEMENT, Manager 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 



FEBRUARY, 1911 



//////^/^////////////////r/////////////////////////////r^^ryy^/xf^ / 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



The City Planning Report 

ACTTY plan that includes the met- 
ropolitan development of transit 
facilities, a safe and adequate water 
supply for future needs, the reservation of 
land and building sites for jjublic uses, 
better building and sanitary laws and an 
extension of the right of eminent domain, 
is printed on another page of this maga- 
zine. The report, which is the result 
of months of study by the City Planning 
Conference of Boston-1915, is based 
on the need for co-operative action in 
the development of the towns and cities 
comprising the metropolitan district. 
To carry out its plan the committee 
suggests that the improvements be en- 
trusted to "properly constituted state 
or metropolitan authorities using as far 
as possible authorities now in existence, 
but giving additional powers and creat- 
ing new authorities where necessary." 

No question could come before Boston- 
1915 that has more direct bearing on the 
successful work of its constituent organi- 
zations than this problem of city planning. 
Good housing, recreation, playgrounds, 
])ure water, prevention of congestion, 
minimizing the danger from conflagra- 
tion, better transportation h\ car, train 
and road — all are bound uj) in a properly 
conceived and carefully worked out 
city plan. 

The Providence Board of Trade is 
advocating a city plan and this idea of 
co-operation between commercial and 
social agencies was thus expressed by the 
secretary at the annual meeting of the 
board : 

Svich a plan as is indefinitely today in the minds 
of many of our active business men ean only be 



begun in a healthy manner by co-operation on the 
part of all bodies which are related in any way to 
the future moral as well as physical and business 
growth of the city. Labor as well as capital, church 
and state, charity and philanthropy, art and in- 
dustry, manufacture and trade, health and educa- 
tion, are all interested factors in the plan for the 
future, and they must all co-operate if the city 
plan is to be successful. 

A Metropolitan Problem 

SYLVESTER BAXTER, Secretary of 
the Metropolitan Improvement 
League, has made valuable comment on 
the committee's report in which he 
emphasizes two important factors — action 
by public authorities and the importance 
of treating the whole question as a 
metropolitan problem. Mr. Baxter says: 

I am pleased to see in the report of the Boston- 
191.5 City Planning committee the fruit of a most 
intelligent study of the problems involved, set 
forth concisely, comprehensively, and with a broad 
understanding of the subject. It pleases me all 
the more since it is quite in line with the report 
of the Metropolitan Improvements Commission, 
of which I was secretary. One of the most difficult 
factors in the case is the fact that all the elements 
are interrelated, and must be co-ordinated. The 
committee has appreciated this, as its work shows. 
The next thing is to impress it upon the public. 
Then comes the most formidable part of the task: 
to get the public authorities to realize the fact and 
act accordingly. Failure to do this has been at the 
bottom of the piecemeal, unrelated methods where- 
by the most of our problems in public improvements 
have been dealt with, entailing an appalling waste 
and inefficiency. The whole (juestion must be 
dealt with on a distinctively metropolitan basis, 
and to that end, of course, there must be a metro, 
politan organization with all these results in view- 
For instance, the highly important problem of 
docks, which means the most efficient use of the 
port facilities with which nature has endowed 
Boston so superbly, requires that the railroad prob- 
lem be considered very carefully in connection with 
it, in order to secure the most practical and econ- 
omical lavout and use of terminal facilities. In 



419 



420 



NEW BOSTON 



siK'h ways it will be found that every element has 
an important relation to some other element and 
perhaps to every other element. 

To Protect the Milk Supply 

THE bill now before the Massachusetts 
Legislature, "to promote the public 
health by protecting the supply of milk 
for sale and insuring the cleanliness of 
such supply, and its freedom from in- 
fectious germs and other harmful quali- 
ties" ])laces the power of ins])ection in 
tlie State Board of Health, and if passed 
will give every reasonable assurance 
to the consumer regarding the produc- 
tion, transportation and storage of milk 
intended for sale. According to this 
measure all regulations made by the 
state board shall be submitted to the 
Dairy Bureau of the State Board of 
Agriculture before they go into effect, 
and shall be sent to every dealer holding 
a license and to every registered pro- 
ducer. All producers shall be licensed 
by the state board, and only licensed 
])roducers shall be allowed to sell milk. 
All dealers shall be required to register 
with the State Board of Health the 
name and address of every producer 
from whom he obtains milk. Every 
dealer must also keep a complete list 
of his producers, a list which shall be 
open for examination at all times. Pro- 
vision is also made for reserving to 
cities which are now doing the work 
well, the right to continue their own 
inspection. The state board shall be 
given power to revoke licenses after 
a hearing at which the applicant or 
licensee shall have full opportimity to 
be heard and to present evidence in 
his own behalf. 

In order to carry out the provisions 
of the act the state board shall establish 
a milk division which shall in addition 
to the new ])owers conferred, perform 
the duties now imposed upon milk in- 
spectors. This milk division shall con- 
sist of a chief at a salary of $5,000; an 
assistant chief at a salary of $3,000; and 
a chief inspector at a salary of $2,500. 
The state board is further authorized 
to employ at least twenty inspectors 
at an annual salary of not more than 
$1,800. The state board is authorized 
to expend for salaries, expenses, travel, 



etc., a siHU not exceeding $100,000 
annually. 

Powers of Milk Inspection 

THE State Board of Health shall be 
authorized to inspect all places in 
which milk is stored or kept for sale, and all 
vehicles used for the transportation of 
milk intended for sale, and to take 
samples for investigation. The pro- 
ducer outside of the state will have the 
same inspection as the state producer. 
Uniformity will assist the Massachusetts 
producer by cutting out unfair competi- 
tion. In any case where samples are 
taken, however, a portion shall be de- 
livered to the owner of the milk and a 
receipt obtained. The state board shall 
have the authority to dispose of milk 
unfit for sale, compensating the owner 
at prevailing wholesale prices. The 
regulations made under this act may 
contain provisions for: 

1. Establishing standards for milk, skim milk 
and cream, below which the sales thereof respec- 
tively shall be illegal. 

2. Establishing different grades of milk, skim 
milk and cream which may be sold. 

.3. Requiring the use of score cards in inspecting 
dairies and dairy farms and other places where 
milk is produced as well as the places of business 
of all licensed dealers; one copy of said score card 
to be left at the place inspected, the other to be 
filed with the said board. 

4. Providing for the inspection once a year or 
oftener of the places of business of licensed dealers 
and registered producers. 

.5. Stating the conditions under which licenses 
under this act may l)e suspended or revoked. 

6. Providing for the proper marking or labeling 
of vessels in which milk, skim milk and cream is 
sold or offered for sale and against the misbranding 
or mislabeling of such vessels. 

7. Providing against adulteration of milk, skim 
milk or cream. 

8. Specifying the diseases which may render 
milk considered unwholesome or dangerous for 
human consumption. 

For selling without a license or for 
selling adulterated, misbranded or mis- 
labeled milk, a fine of not less than $5 
or more than $100, or by imprisonment 
for not more than 30 days is imposed. 
The act also provides that any official 
of the milk division or employee of the 
board who assists in any violation oi the 
act shall be pimished by a fine of 
not less than $1^5 or not more [than 
$300. 



NOTE AND COISIMENT 



421 




PhMtMj;rai,h b 



Ilisturic I'liotof^raph C,. 

IJOSTOxXS "WATER GATE" IN 17GS 
From a drawing by Paul Revere 



A Public Landing, Old and New 

IN the new cover design which was 
used for the first time on the January 
magazine, the artist, Mr. I. B. Hazleton, 
lias caught the spirit of what might 
have been, and, with limitations, of 
what may still be. New York is to have 
a beautiful water-gate at 116th Street. 
Other cities, notably Rio de Janeiro, 
have taken advantage of opportunities 
for artistic water front development. 
Mr. Hazleton's drawing shows a great 
public landing, flanked by columns which 
are surmounted by winged victories. 
A noble avenue leads from the harbor, 
through the old north section, razed 
of its outworn buildings, to the State 
House. In the foreground on the left 
stands the new Custom House, and on 
the riglit the lio])ed-for Civic Building. 

Quite different from the artist's dream 
was the old-time public landing, pictured 
in Paul Revere's drawing of 1708. But 
the "city planners" of that day provided 
for a water-gate and for an avenue lead- 
ing to the Old State House. Both artists 
are picturiug the same general idea — 
one a vision, the other a reality. Is 
the visiop prophetic.^ 



A New College Course 

TO Harvard University belongs the 
credit of announcing the first course 
on \ ocational Guidance ever given in a 
college. The Harvard faculty has re- 
cently voted to have Meyer Bloomfield, 
the director of the Vocation Bureau, 
give a course of ten lectures at the 
Summer School next Jidy. This is recog- 
nition from a high source of the value of 
sane and expert vocational direction 
in the schools of our country. The 
Harvard course will be open to qualified 
teachers and school officials. While 
Harvard is first in the field with a course, 
the l^niversity of Wisconsin, with its 
usual alertness, has arranged for a public 
meeting in Milwaukee on Fel>ruary "i, 
at which Mr. Bloomfield is to speak, 
and later to confer with the city officials 
who are interested in the Boston plan 
of school guidance. The Harvard course 
will deal with both the theory and prac- 
tice of vocational direction. Lectures, 
conferences, and readings will make up 
the course. 

If a new profession is in the process 
of development, that of vocational 
counselor, to Harvard University will 



NEW BOSTON 



belong the credit of initiating the train- 
ing and the standards required of the 
practitioner. 

Governor Foss's Message 

THE message of Governor Foss pre- 
sented to the General Court on 
January 5 has the great merit of brevity 
and , on most of the subjects which it treats, 
plainness of speech. It is not for NEW 
Boston to deal with the political ques- 
tions which the message raises, but many 
of its other features are of immediate 
concern to every constituent organiza- 
tion of Boston-1915. 

Three planks of the Governor's plat- 
form are especially notable — his em- 
phasis upon the fundamental importance 
of publicity, his insistence upon ad- 
ministrative co-operation and his plea 
for a preventive rather than a corrective 
policy in dealing with the so-called wards 
of the state. If democracy is to cope 
with the immensely complicated problems 
of modern life, all the people must know 
and understand what its public servants 
and its quasi-public servants are doing. 
Moreover, if New England is to maintain 
her social and economic leadership there 
must be an end to local jealousies and to 
rivalries between authorities, so that all 
agencies, official and unofficial, may work 
together to promote her material and 
moral welfare. In this connection, it 
is significant that the Governor devotes 
so much attention to the city of Boston, 
thus indicating his belief that largely 
upon the welfare of this great port of 
entry depend the growth and prosperity 
of the important region which it serves. 
He raises large questions regarding 
terminal facilities, the opening of water- 
ways, the creation of a "Real Boston" 
and the control of quasi-public corpora- 
tions; but they are problems which must 
be settled and settled promptly if Massa- 
chusetts is to develop as she ought. 

It is interesting, as an indication of 
the rapid advance of modern thought, 
that the Governor, in presenting recom- 
mendations as to hours of labor, work- 
men's compensation and industrial edu- 
cation, does so as a matter of course; 
and that most of such utterances in his 
inaugural have been pronounced by the 
press in general, conservative. 



From the viewpoint of Boston-1915 
perhaps the most significant statement 
is the following, concerning the chari- 
table and correctional institutions of 
the commonwealth. 

"While it must ever remain our fixed duty to 
protect these helpless ones, yet immediate steps 
should be taken to prevent such a large and in- 
creasing number of persons from losing the power 
of self-support, either through mental, moral or 
physical sickness, or through that industrial in- 
efficiency which leads to pauperism. 

"We should seek out all the causes which result 
in the loss of personal independence and self-sup- 
porting power, and apply scientific measures of 
personal help to all who are drifting toward our 
public institutions. This is the greatest problem 
at present confronting us." 

The promotion, through co-operative 
activity, of every rational preventative 
measure against ignorance, disease, in- 
competence, pauperism and crime, is 
the main purpose of the whole Boston- 
1915 movement. 

In recognizing the absolute inter- 
dependence of questions of business and 
questions of social well-being, the 
governor's message is in itself notable. 
It is significant, moreover, as an index 
of the rapidly growing acceptance of 
the fundamental belief of Boston-1915 
that the material and the social welfare 
of the commimity must be advanced 
simultaneously and that all who are 
working for either type of progress nuist 
combine their forces in every possible 
way. 

Civic Auditoriums 

MAYOR SEIDEL'S article on another 
page of this number, together with 
the additional facts presented in the 
August and September issues of NEW 
Boston show that Milwaukee and St. 
Paul have come to look upon their audi- 
toriums as necessary parts of the com- 
munities' civic machinery. 

Three of the largest civic auditoriums 
in the coimtry — those at Milwaukee, 
St. Paul and Denver — were each success- 
fully financed by different methods. 
Milw^aukee secured its building through 
private subscription and city appropria- 
tions; St. Paul raised its funds by private 
subscription and Denver issued $650,000 
in bonds. 

The Denver Auditorium has a seating 
capacity of thirty-three himdred in its 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



423 



theatre, and of twelve thousaiui in the 
auditorium proper when the various 
rooms are thrown open. The theatre 
rents for $300 a night and the entire 
building for $600 a night, or on a per- 
centage basis. No admission is charged 
for meetings of a public nature, and 
although in the first year of operation 
the receipts were about eleven thousand 
dollars less than the operating expenses, 
owing largely to the use of the building 
for large public gatherings, Denver 
Municipal Facts says that the auditorium 
"paid a big dividend in 1909 and the 
masses have acknowledged receipt. The 
worth of the Auditorium to Denver is 
not measured by dollars, but those who 
desire to figure it in that way can do so 
by charging a rental for free band concerts 
on Sunday, the N. E. A. convention, 
Trans-Mississippi Congress, Mechanics' 
Convention, Taft meeting. National 
Street Railway convention, free enter- 
tainments for children, etc., and then 
provide funds from the general revenue 
to pay the same. The figures would be 
changed, but the net results would be 
the same." The receipts for 1910 
were $28,016.13 and the expenditures 
$32,952.49. For twenty weeks of the fall 
and winter the theatre has been rented 
to the Shuberts at $800 a week. 



A SOUND CIVIC INVEST- 
MENT 

EMIL SEIDEL 

Mayor of Milwaukee 

IN response to your request for a state- 
ment from me regarding the worth 
of the Milwaukee xVuditorium as a civic 
investment, after scanning the record 
of operations for the first year of the 
auditorium's existence, I am inclined 
to sum up by asking — "How did we 
ever get along without it?" 

Possibly the best evidence of the value 
of the Milwaukee Auditorium as an 
asset to the municipality which I could 
present to you, may be gleaned from the 
frequency of its use. The building was 
finished and dedicated in September, 
1909. During its first year it was oc- 
cupied for various purposes as follows: 



Industrial and Educational exhibits. , . .57 

Conventions 35 

Meetings, social, religious, fraternal and 

political 188 

Lectures 13 

Concerts and Dances 44 

Circus 8 

Athletic Entertainments 5 

Miscellaneous 8 

358 
The physical arrangement of the 
building and accommodations afforded 
therein were, I understand, covered by 
an article contributed by the manager, 
Joseph C. Grieb, which appeared in 
the September, 1910, issue of New 
Boston, so that your readers have a 
good insight into the facilities and ac- 
commodations provided in the Mil- 
waukee Auditorium. 

The several halls were used during 
the year as follows: 

Main auditorium 98 times 

Smaller halls in Annex 256 

Basement under main hall ... 4 

Entire building 17 days 

It was found that on several occasions 
when industrial exhibitions were held, 
the main hall was taxed to its utmost 
capacity. 

In the present day of conferences and 
assemblages, which are as essential to the 
educational, social and political develop- 
ment of a modern people, as they were 
the salvation of the old, a progressive 
community not only recognizes this 
demand, but provides adequate facilities 
for the proper housing of such gather- 
ings. A large community requires an 
auditorium for great popular gatherings, 
for mass concerts and the like. These 
are strong factors in promoting in- 
tellectual and material advancement, 
as well as contributing to the common 
welfare and happiness of society. 

Every citizen who loves his home, who 
delights in the growth and development 
of the municipality, who is proud of its 
past and hopeful of its future, applauds 
the auditorium enterprise as a most 
laudable one. There is no other public 
building in this city which expresses in 
the same degree the civic pride and love 
of our people for their home city. Its 
dividends consist in the favorable out- 
side publicity it creates for ^Milwaukee 
and the educational advantages and en- 
tertainments it will afford its people. 



424 



NEW BOSTON 



Our Auditorium is a monument of 
loyalty to community interests, a fine 
sample of strong civic pride and a noble 
example of individual liberality and 
generosity. 

In our Auditorium is made manifest 
the spirit of progress; for it incomparably 
excels all that have preceded it. Here 
we have facilities to comfortably house 
the largest political, social and civic 
gatherings. It stands a mutely elo- 
quent invitation to the world at large 
to there assemble its most representa- 
tive conventions. 

It has been demonstrated beyond 
peradventiu'e of doubt that the con- 
ventions which can be accommodated 
are of incalculable value and I, therefore, 
regard this investment as one of the 
most profitable that the city can make. 



THE GREATER BOSTON FED- 
ERATION OF CHURCHES 

REV. E. T. ROOT 

THE Massachusetts Federation of 
Churches was organizetl in March, 
1902. Since December, 1904, it has had 
an executive secretary. The purpose of the 
federation is "to overcome our over- 
lapping and overlooking." It assumes 
no ecclesiastical authority. Its method 
is "to keep the facts before the churches 
till the churches change the facts" by 
"consolidations somewhere and co-oper- 
ation everywhere." 

Just because it seeks to promote local 
federative movements everywhere in the 
state, it has not concentrated its atten- 
tion upon Boston. Very early it sug- 
gested a municipal federation on the 
lines of that of New York city. But 
Boston is not an easy j^lace in which to 
start new movements, for the very 
reason that so many have originated here, 
and so many general causes, denomina- 
tional or philanthropic, make appeal here 
for support. The state committee, there- 
fore, contented itself with keeping the 
suggestion before leading men, and find- 
ing or forming local movements in sec- 
tions of the city or suburbs. Among 



these, the oldest is the Jamaica Plain 
Fraternity of Chiux'hes. Federations 
have been formed in Charlestown, Dor- 
chester, East Boston, South Boston and 
Brookline. From the experience of these 
and successful attempts at co-operation 
within and outside of the state, informa- 
tion regarding motives and methods has 
been accumulated. Only a fitting occa- 
sion to urge them u])on the whole metrop- 
olis was needed. 

That occasion was given by "Boston- 
1915." At the semi-annual meeting in 
June, 1909, the following resolution was 
adopted: "Whereas the plans of 'Boston- 
1915' are strikingly in accord with our 
own watchword: 'Learn all the facts 
and ally all the factors'; resolved that 
the Massachusetts Federation inaugurate 
the following plan to enable the churches 
of Boston to take their part." Early in 
the fall, correspondence with leading 
pastors evoked hearty approval. Dr. 
John Hopkins Denison, for example, 
wrote: "I have always had a vision of 
what this city might be, if all the churches 
worked together and each took a definite 
responsibility for a certain number of 
blocks." 

The request of the directors of Boston- 
1915 for the appointment of two offi- 
cial representatives of the Protestant 
Churches opened the way for definite 
action. A convention of the churches 
of Boston was called in the summer to 
elect two such directors and to consider 
whether a city federation was advisable. 
The convention unanimously voted in 
favor of the step and appointed a com- 
mittee to draft a constitution. That 
committee reported at an adjourned 
meeting, and the draft, modeled on the 
revised constitution of the New York 
federation, was amended to include the 
whole of Greater Boston, and adopted. 
Officers were elected. 

Probably the work of the first season 
will consist in a survey of the situation, 
the location and statistical study of all 
the churches, and of all sub-federations 
existing or newly formed, and the con- 
sideration of definite plans, such as "the 
co-operative-parish plan," to be sub- 
mitted at the annual meeting in May. 




By Courtesy of the 
American Steel and Wire Company WIRE DRAWING SAFETY DEVICE 

This means a stop to a succession of blinding accidents. Note the levers to stop the revolving dnnn, 
by hand at a safe distance, or automatically, if a kink occurs in the wire 



CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD EYESIGHT 

HENRY COPLEY GREENE 

Field Agent for Conservation of Eyesight of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind 



NEW BOSTON for September 
said: "A good slogan for Massa- 
chusetts would be: 'No babies 
needlessly blind for life in 1915.' " 
Since September, faith in the possibility 
of preserving eyesight has so far increased, 
both here and elsewhere, that a strong 
slogan for the country now would be 
"In the United States of tomorrow, no 
needless defects of eyesight!" 

Not only faith but confident and 
active work grew and spread so far in 
the autumn that in December it seemed 
wise to call a conference of persons 
active for the conservation of eyesight 
in various states.' Brought together by 
Dr. F. Park Lewis of Buffalo, Presdient 
Van Cleve of the Ohio Commission for 
the Blind and James P. Munroe, chair- 
man of our Massachusetts Commission, 
nearly a hundred persons, representing 
a wide range of professions, met at the 
rooms of the Sage Foundation in New 
York and spent the day in a most il- 
luminating discussion of the larger causes 



of preventable blindness, and of steps 
toward their removal. Among those 
present were not only ophthalmologists 
and workers with the blind, but pliysi- 
cians who recognize the relation of work 
for the prevention of gonorrhoea, sy- 
philis and tuberculosis to the preserva- 
tion of good eyesight; educators, who 
realize the direct relation of school 
conditions to eyestrain; experts in il- 
luminating engineering, who see danger 
in the increased use of very brilliant 
artificial lights; and social workers, who 
are investigating the effects on eyesight 
of unhygienic environments. This meet- 
ing resulted in the appointment of a 
representative committee empowered to 
form a national association, to call a 
national conference in the near future 
and to organize an international con- 
gress two or three years hence, for the 
purpose of em]jhasizing both the social 
and the economic importance of the 
conservation of eyesight. 

Meantime in Massachusetts, the spirit 



425 



426 



NEW BOSTON 



of co-operation has been no less active; 
and work that was done once incom- 
pletely and in mental isolation, is now 
being carried further in clear conscious- 
ness of team effort and of the whole 
team's goal. Take for instance the 
Lyman School for Boys, at Westboro. 
What might be called the outpatient 
department, which steers the boys from 
graduation to maturity, is arranging 

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WARNING TO SYRIAN MIDWIVES ISSUED BY 
MASSACHUSETTS COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND 

"Every midwife knows 'babies' sore eyes.' Do you know that 
this disease is usually very contagious? Do you know that 
it must be reported at once to the Board of Health, on pain of 
$100 fine? Do you know that it may make the baby blind? 
This disease can be prevented. Cure is hard and uncertain. 
Prevention is simple and easy." 



to follow up the school physician's eye 
work, watching for possible relapses 
when the eyes have been diseased, or 
keeping in view the coming needs of 
boys whose eyes can only for a time 
serve without glasses, or again keeping 
one-eyed boys, where possible, away from 
abnormally dangerous trades. 

As another instance take the Industrial 
School for Girls, across the hills at Lan- 
caster. Controlled by the same trustees. 



this school has long had an ophthal- 
mologist at work examining each girl 
when she arrives; and what we may 
again call the outpatient department 
has long watched over the girls' eye- 
sight and has taken them to the Massa- 
chusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Boston 
at any sign of need. But in recent months 
the spirit of team play has brought these 
officers still more closely together; and 
now, not only are the results of 
the oculist's examination and his 
plans for each girl handed on to 
the outpatient department, but 
the oculist, the school physician 
and the superintendent of the 
outpatient department periodic- 
ally meet to plan for each girl's 
varied physical needs. 

The question of hygiene, the 
question of good air, good food 
and housing and of sleep is far 
more closely connected with eye- 
sight than the general public yet 
know. To the Lyman School, 
for example, come boys and girls 
with eyes more or less scarred by 
the commonest serious eye dis- 
ease, a disease dependent on just 
these factors of hygiene. To day- 
nurseries again, little children are 
brought from time to time, with 
"phlyctenular keratitis," as this 
disease is called, showing itself in 
little elevations on the edge of the 
cornea, or colored portion, of the 
eye. These children, with eyes 
watery and sensitive, hold their 
heads down to avoid the light. 
Not infrequently they seem in 
good health. But they so often 
show signs of tuberculosis else- 
where in the body that their dis- 
ease of the eye is thought to be 
tubercular. However this may 
be, it yields to local measures, 
combined with just such treatment as 
tuberculous children require; while with- 
out proper treatment, it results in ulcers 
of the eye which leave scars and, in re- 
ciu'ring, leave more scars, till the result- 
ing "ground glass surface" may seriously 
obscure the vision. 

All this is small news to oculists. To 
social workers, combating the causes of 
phlyctenular disease, such knowledge 
is novel. They have seized on it, how- 



THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD EYESIGHT 



4^f 



ever, uiid tlial orjianizalioii lor heller 
hygiene most vitally interested, the 
Boston Society for the Relief and Con- 
trol of Tulierculosis, has not only en- 
dorsed a bulletin on this subject, 
j)rei)ared with the help of Dr. (ieorge 
S. Derby, and issued In' tiie Massa- 
chusetts Commission for the Blind, 
but has put it l)efore all Boston societies 
taking care of children. Nor is this all. 
School superintendents and city boards 
of health have asked for copies almost 
faster than they can be supplied; twelve 
hundred have been imported by the 
Sage Foundation's national secretary 
for the conservation of eyesight and the 
State Committee in New York; and the 
Ohio Commission for the Blind, with 
characteristic vigor, has published an 
edition with its own special imprint. 
And nearer home again, the Nursery 
for Blind Babies has taken this generous 
measure, — it has opened the doors of 



its liomc, on tlial airy hillside in Jamaica 
Plain, not only to babies hopelessly 
blind, but, when space allows, to little 
children in temporary need of its hygienic 
surroundings and of the expert treat- 
ment made availal)le by the Social 
Service Department at the Ma.s.sachusetts 
Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

For different, though (juitC' as im- 
portant ends, the spirit of team play 
has penetrated our hospitals. They 
have begun to get together in devising 
leaflets to warn their patients against 
the dangers to eyesight lurking in 
gonorrhoea. And through their chiefs 
of staff, the four largest eye departments 
in Boston have met to consider such im- 
proved and essentially uniform records 
as may be of use for the study of eye 
disablement, whether through disease 
or more especially through industrial 
accidents. As a result, the City Hospital 
is considering ways and means, the 




From the Montfily Bulletin for August. 1910. by courtesy of the Stale Board uj' Health 

WHKRE .\ SAFETY DEVICE CAN WISELY HE PIT IX ISE 

Every wheel with glass plat<- to ])rot<'ct the eyes 



428 



NEW BOSTON 



Carney Hospital is instituting improved 
methods, the Eye and Ear Infirmary is 
including fresh requirements in a card- 
system already planned for the Out 
Patient Department, and the Boston 
Dispensary is finding, through wise 
experiment, just how the most significant 
data can be gathered. 

To carry such investigation to the 
source of trouble, the Commission for 
the Blind, in harmony with the State 
Board of Health, has planned an im- 
portant extension of work by the District 
Health Inspectors; and to put this plan 
in practice, it has introduced into the 
Legislature a bill (House No. 357), 
carrying a small appropriation, and 
empowering the District Health In- 
spectors, in the course of their studies 
of factory lighting, to investigate in- 
juries and diseases of the eye connected 
with such processes as emery grinding; 
and where a preventive device can be 
wisely put in use, to reqviire its installa- 
tion. At the same time the commission 
has recommended to the Legislature 
that the registration of accidents and 
the factory inspection of the State Police, 
be provided for more fully. 

As things now stand, it may be noted 
in passing that the State Police are 
unable to learn the results of the eye 
accidents which they record. Even 
where the law empowers them to en- 
force the use of protective devices, they 
know too little about their severity or 
their relative triviality to serve as a basis 
for action. As an instance, it is enough 
to cite a series of apparently prevent- 
able accidents in the process of wire 
drawing at one of the plants of the Ameri- 
can Steel and Wire Company. This 
series of accidents continued for years; 
and a preventive device was at last 
installed only because the steel trust 
had itself created a force of safety inspec- 
tors. Under a chief safety inspector, these 
expert ]irotectors of life and limb had 
brought the workmen into line in their 
task of inspecting machinery, studying 
accidents, and devising safety devices. 
This system it was which provided the 
means, last summer, to stop a long succes- 
sion of blinding accidents. 

Now to return to our starting point, 
what can we say of that slogan for 
Massachusetts, — "No babies needlessly 



blind for life in 1915"? In a sense, ilO 
babies are or have been needlessly 
blind from ophthalmia neonatorum; for 
every baby made blind through this 
preventable disease has been made blind, 
in the last analysis, by unabolished ignor- 
ance and carelessness unredeemed. The 
question then is. Can the state rouse 
itself to abolish this ignorance and to 
redeem this lack of care.'^ 

During the summer, a physician who, 
by the way, is both a graduate of the 
Harvard Medical School and a member 
of the Massachusetts Medical Society, 
delivered a child at a suburban hospital. 
Symptoms of ophthalmia neonatorum 
soon appeared. The physician failed 
to obey the law (Chap. 251 of the Acts 
of 1905), which requires the reporting of 
these symptoms at once, so that the 
local board of health may take measures 
to prevent blindness. On the contrary, 
he dismissed the mother and baby from 
the hospital while the disease was still 
in progress, and with only a warning to 
call in a doctor if the baby's eyes did 
not improve. When next he saw the 
mother, she was wheeling in a baby- 
carriage a baby blind for life. 

Another Harvard graduate, and the 
medical member of one of those local 
boards of health whose duty it is to take 
measures in order that blindness may not 
ensue, delivered a child at a farmhouse 
last summer. The symptoms of oph- 
thalmia neonatorum appeared. After a 
dangerous delay, this physician was 
called by telephone. Only on the next 
day did he respond; and then, without 
a nurse, he tried his hand at treating 
the child's imperilled eyes, not one day 
or two days, but till the transparent 
cornea of each eye was opaque. The 
child is blind. 

Such spectacles as these have roused 
both the State Board and certain local 
boards of health. Interested with the 
Commission for the Blind in the campaign 
against ophthalmia neonatorum, the 
State Board of Health now notifies a 
district health inspector by telephone 
or by telegraph as soon as a case is 
brought to his attention. The district 
inspector rigidly investigates both the 
origin and treatment, and the facts of 
legal interest, and reports back to the 
secretary. If neglect or illegality appears 



THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOOD EYESIGHT 



429 




OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM 

Of the physicians responsible for the needless blindness of babies in the last few- 
months, more than one has been a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society 



to have been shown, the secretary then 
notifies the physician and the local 
board of health involved, calling the 
attention of each to the medical aspect 
of the case, and the fine to which the 
physician may be liable. These letters, 
following on the investigations just out- 
lined, cannot but inform and rouse 
many a careless or ignorant physician 
and many a local board. 

But what of the local boards at present? 
Worcester has promised to inspect every 
reported case; Spring-field provides free 
treatment, and more than one other 
town and city has taken its remedial 
duty concretely to heart. But the 
Boston board stands in the front of 
action. After four notices of the law 
had been sent to every physician in 
the city, the board, this autumn, began 



legal action against physicians failing 
to report. ^Yith a wisdom, at the time 
unappreciated by many of us, the chair- 
man chose as the first case under the 
law of 1905, a case which was not of 
gonorrhoeal origin, and in which blind- 
ness had not resulted. The i)hysician 
in question raised both these points in 
defence, and he appealed to the Suffolk 
Superior Court. His conviction is there 
on record. 

Not content with this example, the 
Boston Board of Health has l)rought into 
court the three other physicians against 
whom sufficient evidence has since come 
to light. Out of a total of four cases, 
three have resulted in convictions. 

Two points remain: one for the courts 
to show the full importance of this law; 
the other for our medical schools to teach 



430 



NEW BOSTON 



not only medicine but a keen sense of 
civic duty. 

Through the clemency of the courts, 
only one condemned delinquent, among 
three, has paid a fine. This fact seems 
to ,^suggest that the bench is not fully 
aware of the issues at stake. However 
this may be, the Society for the Preven- 
tion of Cruelty to Children, in a fine 
spirit of team play is sending to all 
our judges Bulletin No. 3, of the Com- 
mission for the Blind, which lays stress 
on the validity and the importance of 
the law of 1905. Both legal and lay 
opinion, let us hope, will soon support 
the bench in drastic action. 

Of the three physicians thus far con- 
dennied under this law, only one has 
lacked training in a rejjvitable medical 
school. Of the physicians responsible 



for needless blindness in babies, in the 
last few months, more than one has 
been a member of the Massachusetts 
Medical Society, and several have had 
the best of training. Does not this 
suggest that our medical schools have 
still to learn the full spirit of civic 
team-i)lay.'' At the Harvard Medical 
School, Dr. Williams is giving a most 
valuable popular lecture, on ophthalmia 
neonatorum^ on Sunday the fifth of this 
month. But has Harvard, and have 
our other schools, begun regularly to 
produce graduates that shall not be law 
breakers? This question suggests an- 
other, and with this question we may 
close. How soon willi the slogan of 
our medical schools be, "In 191o, all 
ovn- graduates public servants; and of 
their patients, none needlessly blind." 



NEED OF MORE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS 
BY THE STATE BOARD OF REGIS- 
TRATION IN MEDICINE 

RICHARD C. CABOT, M.D. 



IGNORANT doctors can do a lot of 
harm. They can and they do. 
They fail to recognize contagious 
disease before it has spread into an 
epidemic. It might have been checked 
if recognized early. 

They fail to recognize at the top of a 
patient's lung a dangerous disease (tu- 
berculosis) before it has spread and pro- 
duced advanced phthisis. It might have 
been checked if recognized early. 

They fail to recognize an appendicitis 
before it has spread to produce fatal 
peritonitis. They let wounds go septic 
and babies' eyes get blinded by that 
absolutely preventable disease, gonorrheal 
ophthalmia. 

As health officers in most of our cities 
and towns, they fail to apply principles 
of preventive hygiene in the shop, the 
home, the street and the school. They 
allow foul air, promiscuous spitting and 
windowless sleeping-rooms. 

What is the remedy.'* There are two 
possible remedies. One we can apply 



at once, the other we cannot. We 
cannot force our medical schools to do 
decent work or go out of existence. At 
least I cannot discover any way to do it. 

As this remedy is not feasible, there 
is left but one alternative, viz., to make 
more practical oxw existing state examina- 
tions for the right to practice medicine. 
They are now mostly written examina- 
tions, and any smart boy can pass written 
medical examinations without any 
genuine medical knowledge. Six months' 
study of the cram-books (ciuiz-com- 
pends) will put a boy through. He may 
never have seen a sick patient, never 
attended a woman in labor; never dressed 
a wound or written a prescription in his 
life. 

Practical examinations — the examina- 
tion of patients to settle a diagnosis 
and determine treatment — that is what 
we want. There is no other way to find 
out whether a boy is fit to begin the 
practice of medicine except to watch 
him in the act of trying to practice it. 



THE NEED OF MORE PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS 



431 



Fancy a board of judges at the Con- 
servatory of INIusic determining a 
violinist's proficiency by a written ex- 
amination, without hearing him i)lay! 
Suppose a jury of Royal Academicians 
judged of a ])ainter\s art without seeing 
any of his pictures. You have there a 
situation })recisely like what exists when 
we judge would-be doctors by written 
examinations. To examine a patient's 
heart, to judge of the condition of his 
lungs, of his })lood, of his bones and 
joints, is an art as practical and as dif- 
ficult as billiards or dancing. Eyes, 
ears, fingers and wits must tackle a new 
and peculiar situation in every patient. 
No two are quite alike. Each j)uts us 
on our mettle like an athletic contest. 
It is not a matter for generalizations 
written in a blank book. 

Practical examinations have already 
been undertaken by our State Board of 
Registration in medicine since 1908, 
when chemical tests in the examination 
of urine and some other laboratory 
procedures were added to the list. In 
1909 and 1910 a certain number of 
patients were examined by some of the 
applicants for a doctor's license, but this 
was not possible at every one of the 
examinations since held, as the facilities 
provided for the Board at the State 
House, and the appropriation allowed, 
are not sufficient. 

Four middle western states have now 
undertaken regular and systematic 
practical tests for candidates in medicine. 
There is nothing untried or unusual 
about the use of practical methods, for, 
though this country has been slow in 
adopting them, England has had such 
tests for many years. 

Patients with various diseases of the 
heart, lungs, blood, kidneys, joints, skin 
and nervous system, can easily be hired 
and are very glad to earn a little money 
(since they are unfit for active work) 
by submitting themselves to examina- 
tion. The examination does the patient 
no harm, as he can sit or lie still during 
the entire process. Of late years I have 



hired many such patients every summer 
for the instruction of graduate students, 
and have found no difficulty in so arranging 
it that the physicians under my instruc- 
tion became familiar with the most 
important types of disease by actual 
case-study, without hurting the patients 
and with some addition to their scanty 
income. 

No half-educated student can pass 
these tests. They separate the good 
men from the bad, insianter. ]\Iany 
good practical physicians do not do 
themselves justice on a written test — 
but put them up against a case of disease 
and their sense and ability are at once 
obvious. On the other hand, many a 
glib writer, with a memory for words 
and figures but no knowledge of the 
facts of diagnosis and treatment, can 
slip through Avritten tests and even learn 
simple laboratory procedures by heart. 
It is the actual recognition of the [pres- 
ence or absence of disease in a human 
being that floors these facile writers, 
thereby saving the state from being 
saddled with that most dangerous load 
— a cheeky but ignorant doctor. 

I need hardly add that this proposal — 
thorough ■practical examinations conducted 
071 actual cases of disease for every candi- 
date for license to practice medicine — has 
nothing to do with the status of osteo- 
paths. Christian scientists, masseurs, 
magnetic healers, etc., who can practice 
without a medical license. 

The Board of Registration has both 
the legal right and the entire willingness 
to make these practical tests. The Board 
is convinced of their value and has already 
introduced them to a very limited extent. 
No new legislation is needed. 

What we need is to impress u])on our 
Governor and our Legislature the fact 
that it is up to them to give the board 
proper facilities for j)rotecting the com- 
munity against im])osition, and mal- 
practice, bj' excluding, through practical 
examinations, the untrained and blunder- 
ing; candidates for license. 



PLANNING FOR THE METROPOLITAN 

DISTRICT 



ARTHUR A. SHURTLEFF 



TWENTY-FIVE years ago Boston 
and its environs suffered from 
three clearly recognized handi- 
caps, two of which then endan- 
gered the health of the thirty-nine 
cities and towns of the District, and 
one of which promised to endanger 
it at a later period. What was done to 
relieve the situation? You may ask 
this question in London, St. Petersburg, 
Tokio or Rio Janeiro, and receive a 
ready answer, for the news of the three 
great public works which overcame these 
handicaps is today everywhere known: — 
"Boston and its environs provided them- 
selves with the best system of water 
supply, of drainage, and of parks in 
the world." Newspapers, magazines, 
and lecturers in all countries reported 
the progress and outcome of these great 
undertakings, which were prosecuted 
with the most modern precision for most 
modern needs. The success of the work 
was assured by methodical planning. 
Conditions were mapped, methods of 
relief were studied, plans and estimates 
were prepared, separate municipalities 
were united to secure powers and funds, 
executive authorities were created and 
finally, after years of construction and 
dedication, these great works were satis- 
factorily completed. 

The lesson, however, is not for London, 
for Rio Janeiro, or for any city that has 
heard of our achievements, but rather 
for us. Of late, when new metropolitan 
planning of this kind is obviously needed, 
we have fallen into a lethargy of repining, 
in which we forget the straightforward 
tactics by which great public works were 
executed here in a businesslike way, 
and we only remember the aftermath of 
assessments which yearly come due to 
provide payment for the advantages 
which we are receiving. From this 
lethargy we are likely soon to awaken, 
however, on account of the bestirring 
nature of new handicaps which irritate 
us, and which must be taken in hand. 



if for no other reason than to increase 
the money earning capacity of Boston 
and its vicinity. We are learning that 
we must })repare plans to meet the 
competition of Portland, New York 
and Baltimore. Great railways and 
great steamship lines are making elabo- 
rate plans to increase their usefulness 
for Boston. What are we doing to help 
or hinder them? What active, aggressive 
authorities have we delegated to confer 
with these planners, to lead them forcibly 
where they must be led, or to follow them 
intelligently when they need to be fol- 
lowed? We have only given our authori- 
ties feeble powers to help or to hinder in 
these affairs, because w^e have chosen 
to allow the greater problems of trans- 
portation to drift rather than to spend 
money to direct them, as we know they 
ought to be directed. We dislike our 
yearly Metropolitan assessments for 
water, sewers and parks, therefore we 
have decided we will not spend money 
for planning which could insure the 
best transportation system in the world 
for Boston. Whether we plan or not, 
the railway and the steamship lines must 
plan. They must earn money. They 
cannot afford to follow our policy of 
laissez-faire. Therefore, if we will not 
intelligently and actively interfere with 
them for good reasons; or, if we will not 
actively and intelligently assist them 
for good reasons, they must continually 
plan for us, drive us, threaten, promise, 
advance, retreat and waste their efficiency 
and our opportunities as may be most 
expedient for them. Great private 
planners cannot deal with our great un- 
planning community in a businesslike 
way, either for their own or for our 
advantage. 

Our lethargy expresses itself in other 
fields: Weymouth, Newton, Woburn, 
Lynn, and all the other cities and towns 
of the district are spending hundreds of 
thousands of dollars annually to build 
streets that do not connect with one 

432 



PLANNING FOR THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT 433 

another, and, consequently, fail to assist year by year, as the undeveloped land 

transportation by wagon, motor truck in the vicinity of Boston becomes more 

or electric cars. What have we to offer closely occupied and as temporary build- 

of sanity or convenience in a street ings of wood are replaced by permanent 

system controlled by thirty-nine com- and expensive structures of masonry, 

munities acting without co-operation, The more dense the occupancy of the 

and yet having but one interest? In ground, the more serious become the 

our repining, we have also concluded problems of sanitation and housing, 

of late that, in view of the assessments and the more difficult the task of trans- 

which we pay yearly for the best system portation systems. There is nothing 

of water supply, drainage and parks to be gained by a further postponement 

in the world, we will, therefore, spend of active planning in the metropolitan 

nothing to save ourselves from a high- district of Boston. 

way situation which wastes money both During the last ten months, the City 

passively and actively — passively by Planning Conference of Boston-1915, 

failing to provide linkages between streets working with the City Planning Com- 

which, if connected, would form great mittee of the Boston Chamber of Com- 

arteries of circulation, and actively by merce, has studied the needs of the 

building local streets in one community district and has classified those which 

which embarrass those of adjoining cities affect most vitally the physical plan 

and towns. of the City and its surroundings. This 

The need of planning in these fields classification and its accompanying 

and in all other fields grows more apparent recommendations are given herewith. 

The following recommendations are based upon the assumption that only by 
following a comprehensive plan of development can our Metropolitan District pro- 
vide the best attainable living and working conditions for all classes. 

1. Passenger Transportation by Rail: 

The rapid transit and steam railway systems should be co-ordinated so as to 
make a unified system of passenger transportation between all parts of the 
District, and give ample and equitably distributed accommodation to the 
outskirts and avoid congestion at the centre. These improvements evidently 
would be Metropolitan in scope. 

2. Freight Transportation by Rail: 

All freight lines should be intimately connected with one another and with 
the water front. Freight yards should be distributed in a way to avoid long 
teaming and hauls and to provide modern methods of transhipment. The 
dependence of every conununity in the district upon the efficient handling of 
freight marks this problem as Metropolitan, 

3. Water Transportation: 

A scheme for additional modern docks should »be prepared, these docks to be 
built as required. They should be connected^with one another and with all 
railway lines. The dependence of all the portions of the district upon the 
port of Boston evidently marks the dock problem as Metropolitan. 

4. Road Transportation: 

The system of radial thoroughfares should be perfected. The circumferentud 
thoroughfare system should be completed to allow circulation independent of 
radial movements between all parts of the district. All these main thorough- 
fares of travel should be of ample width and of easy gradient. Since their 
control is now dividetl among the thirty-nine cities and towns individually, 
co-ordinated development can only be accomplished by metropolitan action; 
at the same time the powers of the local street boards throughout the Metro- 
politan District should be strengthened to enable the cities and towns to plan 
and to execute convenient street systems. 



434 NEW BOSTON 

5. Water Supply and Drainage: 

Adequate water sheds should be safeguarded lo ])r()\ ide the entire dislriet with 
a water supply suffieient to meet reasonal)le future recjuirenients. A system of 
trunk sewers with pro])er outfalls should -be eompleted for the entire district. 
Contamination from drainage outflows should be eliminated. 

6. Lands for Public Uses: 

The existing policy for the reservation of lands and building sites for jjublic 
uses should be continued and perfected in order that the public needs for 
these purposes may be adequately and economically met. 

7. Building and Housing Recjuirements: 

Building and sanitary laws should be ijcrfecled and made vuiiform in their 
requirements and enforcement throughout the Metropolitan District. The 
inequalities at present existing discourage investing capital and cause slum 
conditions in the lax localities. These laws should cover: 

1. The structural safety of all buildings with regard to their use. 

2. The highest practical standard of fire protection. 

3. Such limitations of the height, location, interior arrangement and occu- 
pancy of Iniildings as will eflfectually prevent 

(«) The gathering in any district for business purposes of more persons 

or street traffic than the street layout is fitted to accommodate. 
{!)) The gathering in any district for dwelling i)urposes of more persons 
than can be provided with adequate light, air and open sjjaces for 
recreation. 

(c) The unsanitary and congested occupancy of individual dwellings. 

4. The confining and subdividing of existing conflagration districts l)y 
streets or parkways of great width, by fire walls, by special s])rinkling 
lines or other devices so as to reduce existing hazards. 

5. Such regulations as will prevent the further creation of such conflagration 
districts. 

8. Local Building Restrictions: 

A system of restrictions should be devised to control the distribution of resi- 
dences, business, manufacturing and transportation in a way to allow each 
community of the District to develop to the best advantage. 

9. Eminent Domain: 

The pending Constitutional amendment should be passed, extending the right 
of eminent domain under proper safeguards so as to allow excess condenmation. 

10. Centralized Authority: 

It is evident that many of the above improvements affecting the 39 inde])endent 
cities and towns of the district can only be accomplished economically and 
effectively by methodical planning and by co-ordinated eft'ort on the ])art of 
the community as a whole. It is therefore reconmiended that the ])lanning 
and execution of such Metropolitan improvements should be entrusted as soon 
as practicable to properly constituted permanent State or Metrojjolitan au- 
thorities, using as far as possible authorities now in existence, but giving ad- 
ditional powers and creating new authorities where necessary. 
Arthur A. Shurtleff, Chairman, Richards M. Bradley, F. E. Cabot, Philip Cabot, 

Ralph A. Cram, Edward T, Hartman, James H. Hustis, Harry J. Carlson, Secretary. 



It needs very little consideration to show ks the importance of adhering to some 
well-reijidated plan for our new sections, for the real gist of the whole matter is that 
if proper supervision is not exercised at present, the near future will present addi- 
tional problems similar to those lohich now confront us in our congested and badly 
arranged built-up sections. — Major Joseph W. Shirley, Baltimore. 




"THE FLOTSAM AND JETSAM IN THE WRECK OF EXISTENCE" 

THE WAYFARER AND THE PUBLIC 

IN BOSTON 



GEORGE L. WARREN 

Secretary Joint Department for Helping Homeless Men 



PARDON me, mister! but could 
you spare me the price of a bed 
for tonight?" Who of us has not 
been stopped on the street to Hsten 
to this ])lea, and who of us has not 
as faithfully gone into his pocket and 
granted the request? But let us follow 
this polite gentleman who begs for 
money on the street. AMiere does he 
go and what does he do? He wends his 
weary way to the cheap lodging house 
where, for ten or fifteen cents, he is 
housed for the night. 

Here we find many of his kind,^ — poor, 
broken-down, spiritless wretches, who 
are nothing but failures. Among them 
are foinid painters, masons, shoe factory 
workers, and so on, none of them very 
expert at his trade, and all of them wan- 
dering always in search of work, (ien- 
erally speaking, such men get work on 
an average between two and three months 
of the year. During the remainder of 
the year, they exist on what odd jobs 
can be found, and on the charity of the 
giver on the street. 



They are continually wandering from 
city to city, and town to town, never 
satisfied to remain in any one place in 
order to gain a foothold and start life 
anew. Lost to their vices and bad hal)its, 
work to them is only a means of satis- 
fying their passions for drink and other 
evils. In about every city and town, 
l)enevolent individuals and charitable 
agencies stretch out their hands in a 
vain effort to reclaim these men. Some, 
no doubt, are reclaimed to society, and 
even enough to make the work worth 
while, but the great majority go on as 
hopeless as before, shunned by friends 
and acquaintances, forgotten by their 
families, and left by all. the flotsam and 
jetsam in the wreck of existence. 

Perhaps one of the chief reasons that 
more of these men are not reclaimed 
lies in the fact that the general i)ul)lic 
does not fully appreciate the need and 
value of intelligent co-operation with the 
agencies which deal with the ])rol)lem of 
homeless men. If such co-oi)eration 
could be brought about, concerted action 



435 



436 



NEW BOSTON 




THE WAYFARERS SUMMER HOME 

on the part of all would undoubtedly 
result in certain defined plans and 
methods which would aid materially in 
the solution of the problem. 

The kind-hearted individual, upon 
being approached on the street, feels 
that he has done a kindly act of charity 
by giving the applicant the price of a 
bed or "just enough to get a bite to eat." 
He does not stop to think that, in reality, 
he is working in direct opposition to 
those who are endeavoring to help the 
l)erson who is unfortunate enough to be 
obliged to ask the charity of others. 
The nickel and dime charity on the street, 
given hastily on the spur of the moment, 
without the least consideration of the 
special needs of the asker, can very 
easily work greater harm than is |at first 
sight apparent. 

To illustrate this point, I might relate 
the story of James Norton. James is 
a laboring man — a jack of all trades one 
might call him — who, a, few years ago, 
lost his leg in an accident. Previous to 
his misfortune he had been a self-support- 
ing individual, but finally, owning to the 
accident, he was obliged to apply for 



aid. Charitable agencies in another city 
furnished him with an artificial leg, 
provided him with a job at which he 
could earn ten dollars a week, and vir- 
tually gave him a fresh start in life. 

James soon discovered, however, that 
by coming to Boston, where he was 
unknown, he could make an easy, com- 
fortable living by begging alms on the 
street. He now wears his artificial leg 
only on Sundays, while on week days 
he smiles u])on and blesses the passers- 
by who drop })ennies into his hat as he 
sits upon the sidewalk. It is doubtless 
true that James ])resents a pitiable ap- 
pearance, so pitiable, in fact, that it is 
difficult for the charitable individual to 
resist the temptation to aid. The public 
little realizes that each small contribu- 
tion added to all the rest encourages 
James to refuse honest employment, 
which he is perfectly capable of taking, 
and sets at naught all the efforts of the 
agency which tried to make a self-sup- 
porting, self-respecting individual out of 
a man handicapped by misfortune. 

We also find others aided by the public 
on the street, more active and more per- 
sistent, who even dog our steps as we go, 
asking the price of a "bite to eat" or 
possibly the fare to a nearby town. 
Why^ should they be asking for alms? 
They are able-bodied, perfectly capable 




BROKEN DOWN AND SPIRITLESS 



THE WAYFARER AND THE PUBLIC IN BOSTON 



437 




EARNING BREAKFASTS AT THE BOSTON WAYFARERS LODGE 



of making a living" by honest labor, and 
yet they ask assistance and in many 
cases even demand it as a right. Re- 
ceiving the dime or quarter asked, they 
are profuse with thanks, promise to lead 
a better life, and leave their benefactor 
only to repeat the operation on the next 
likely person. 

In granting the request of this class 
of charity seeker, the public is again 
unconsciously working in direct opposi- 
tion to those who are making an earnest 
effort to help the down and out to become 
decent, respectable, law-abiding citizens. 
In arguing, however, against the treat- 
ment which the public generally offers 
to homeless men, the writer, in support 
of his argument, must suggest a better 
method of treatment, or at least a means 
of effective co-operation between the 
l)ublic and the agencies interested in the 
problem of homeless men. 

To begin with, the overseers of the 
poor of the city of Boston maintain a 
Wayfarers' Lodge at 80 Hawkins Street, 
where men are provided with clean beds 
and meals in exchange for work. The 
work involved is the cutting and chop{)ing 
of wood, which is later sold to the public 
at regular prices. All men are examined 
by the physician, and those considered 
physically unfit are provided for without 
work. The Wayfarers' Lodge also pro- 
vides temporarily for a number of men 
awaiting admission to the proper hospital. 



The hygienic conditions at the Way- 
farers' Lodge are excellent; the beds are 
kept clean and the bed clothing cleansed 
regularly. The building itself is likewise 
kept up to a high standard of cleanliness. 
The clothing of the lodgers is disinfected 
every night while they are asleep, and 
all the men are obliged to take a bath 
before retiring. Curiously enough, these 
conditions are not appreciated by way- 
farers, who would much prefer to sleep 
in a cheap lodging house, where hygienic 
conditions are of the worst, rather than 
accept a clean bed for a few hours' work. 

A few years ago a rule was in vogue 
which allowed a man to remain at the 
lodge for three days and nights. Realiz- 
ing, by this ruling, that the men were 
turned into the street to beg, when 
unable to find work within the three 
days allowed them at the lodge, the au- 
thorities at present allow them to remain 
as long as it is deemed necessary to insure 
them a reasonable time in which to secure 
work. Some objection is made that men 
are asked to work in the morning and 
consequently lose their chances of getting 
work for the day. As a matter of fact, 
very few of the men are at the lodge 
later than seven-thirty, and, furthermore, 
if they but report at the desk the previous 
night any possible chances for work in 
the morning, they are awakened and dis- 
charged early. 

Under present conditions, therefore, 



438 



NEW BOSTON 




THE HOMELESS AT THE LODGE 

there is absolutely no excuse for any man 
begging for food and lodging on the streets 
of Boston. If men are willing to work 
they can be provided for; if they are not, 
they should not l)e encouraged by a too 
charitable {)ublic to live a life of idleness 
by subsisting by their wits. 

No attempt, however, is made at the 
Wayfarers' Lodge to find work for the 
men or put them in touch again with 
former friends and acquaintances. More- 
over, the public may ask and rightly 
demand that someone take more than a 
|)assing interest in the city's wayfarers, 
that someone take the time to listen to 
the retpiest of each man who is anxious 
for a chance to start life anew, give it 
full consideration, and do all that is 
within reason to help the man gain a new 
foothold. 

During the past three years just such 
an agency as is suggested has been 
maintained by the Associated Charities 
of Boston and the Boston Provident 
Association. It is known as the Joint 
Department for Helping Homeless Men 
and has its offices at Room 38, 43 Hawkins 
Street. A secretary is employed who 
gives his full time to the problem of 
homeless men, and his efforts are devoted 
entirely to personal work with the men 
themselves. To this department men 
are referred by other charitable societies, 



benevolent individuals, hos- 
pitals and dispensaries, minis- 
ters, rescue missions, and the 
Wayfarers' Lodge. Many men 
apply also of their own volition. 
Each a])plicant is encouraged to 
tell the story of his misfortune, 
and each, in turn, is ministered 
to, according to the circum- 
stances involved. Many men are 
provided for temporarily during 
treatment at the out-patient 
departments of the various hos- 
pitals; others, especially young 
l)oys and men, are returned to 
their homes in other cities and 
towns, and oftentimes work is 
provided. All cases are inves- 
tigated to insure that the j)roper 
aid and advice be given, and 
the department is at all times 
willing to assist, not only those 
in need of help, but all per- 
sons who are themselves inter- 
ested in homeless men. The following 
story will perhaps best illustrate the 
nature of the work attempted. 

One day John Carey, directed by an- 
other wayfarer on the street, applied 
at the office for clothing. Supporting 
himself on crutches, one longer than the 
other, his right leg amputated above the 
knee, clothing ragged and worn, he pre- 
sented a forlorn apjiearance. Losing 
his limb in early life he had worked man- 
fully, with the aid of an artificial leg, 
until a second accident had deprived 
him even of this. Lacking the money 
to re])lace it, he had been forced to give 
up his job as driver and to accept the 
chance charity of the passer on the street. 
Eor two years or more he lived as our 
other friend, James, still prefers to live, 
until by chance he was directed to apply 
to the department. John's former em- 
ployer was then persuaded to give him 
back his job jjrovided he could be fur- 
nished with an artificial leg. This was 
done by the department, and now John 
is working steadily and has refunded the 
fifty dollars advanced on his behalf. 

Fortunately enough, the easy life of 
begging did not appeal so strongly to 
John as it still does to James, and conse- 
quently he has been reclaimed to society 
and is now earning a respectable living. 
James would be doing likewise, I am 



THE WAYFARER AND THE PUBLIC IN BOSTON 



439 



(juitc sure, if the pityinj^' public, through 
its various members aud the iudulgeut 
police, had but co-oj)erated with the 
charita})le ageucy which tried to make 
him self-supj)orting. 

Allow me, then, to suggest that all 
concerned work together in the future, 
in the hope that the homeless man, who 
earnestly desires a fresh start in life, 
wull be given the benefit of intelligent 
and sympathetic treatment, while the 
panhandler and jirofessional beggar will 
be so discouraged that he will i)refer 
to ply his trade beyond the limits of 
Boston. 

The police authorities have co-operated 
in the past with the Board of Overseers 
of the Poor, by refusing to lodge way- 
farers at the various station houses, as 
was the custom some years ago. This 
action alone on their part reduced the 
numlier of wayfarers lodged at the expense 
of the city, '-23,000 in one year. When this 
new ruling went into effect, wayfarers 
immediately avoided Boston as no longer 



a place where they could l)e su])ported 
at i)ublic expense, through very little 
effort on their own part. Would it be 
asking too much at present that the 
police authorities renew tlieir effective 
co-operation by enforcing the laws against 
begging on the streets!' They hold an 
enviable position with regard to the 
])roblem, in that the officers come in 
contact night and day with the men who 
make their living })y ))egging. A strict 
enforcement of the authority which they 
now have by law woidd tend to dis- 
courage all beggars and also to reduce 
the total numl)er of wayfarers in the city. 
The Joint De])artment, already men- 
tioned, will gladly send, upon recjuest, 
a small booklet which can be used in 
referring all applicants to the office. A 
detailed report of exactly wdiat the 
department is able to do for the appli- 
cant will be sent to all persons using the 
booklets. Communications should be 
addressed to the secretary, George L. 
Warren, 43 Hawkins Street, Boston. 



The purpose of BostoJi-lQlo is to stimulate and organize the spirit of co- 
operation by studying, through conferences of experts, the city's immediate and 
future needs, by deciding, through a representative central body, or directorate, 
ichich of those needs should enlist immediate attention, and by bringing, through 
an effective organization, intelligent and widespread support to the projects thus 
endorsed. 



Boston-ldl5 does not expect to perform miracles. It appreciates, moreover, 
thai most of its plans are as yet in a preliminary stage. It believes, however, that 
every one of these plans is practicable and can be realized, if not by the year lJ)lo, 
at least ivithin this generation, provided every citizen, working irith every other, 
will do his part. 



COMPENSATION FOR INDUSTRIAL 

ACCIDENTS 



CARROLL W. DOTEN 



THE present system of providing for 
the victims of industrial accidents 
has long been recognized as un- 
just to employes and socially inexpedi- 
ent. It is based upon industrial condi- 
tions long since outgrown and an obsolete 
and discredited economic theory. It has 
practically no advocates even among 
those who profit by its weaknesses. 
Naturally it occurs to anyone who con- 
siders this matter, to inquire why a 
law which satisfies no one, which pro- 
motes wasteful litigation and hostility 
between employers and employes, and 
which greatly increases the burdens of 
the community in the way of public 
and private charitable relief should be 
retained on the statute books of this 
or any other state. It is certainly not 
because of a lack of models of other 
systems or of information concerning 
such systems in operation in other 
countries. In addition to the natural 
political inertia which everywhere im- 
pedes the progress of reform, this country 
labors under two serious handicaps in 
matters of this sort. These are the con- 
stitutional limitations on both Congress 
and the state legislatures and the fear 
of interstate competition. There are 
other contributing causes, but these 
constitute the chief reason why Massa- 
chusetts, among others, has not fol- 
lowed the lead of Germany and England 
in substituting an insurance or compensa- 
tion law for the old common law principle 
of negligence or fault. 

Nearly thirty years ago, under the 
leadership of Bismarck, Germany began 
the development of a comprehensive 
scheme of social insurance. This pro- 
vided for adequate and speedy relief 
in case of industrial accidents and made 
the support of this relief a social burden, 
to be borne in the first instance by 
mutual insurance associations of em- 
ployers, but to finally rest upon the 
general i)ublic as consumers of the 



products of industry. This system has 
long since passed beyond the experi- 
mental stage. It has been copied, with 
modifications, by many other countries, 
and seems destined to grow in favor 
both in theory and ])ractice. 

The British Parliament jiassed an 
act in 1897 providing for limited com- 
pensation to be paid the victims of 
accidents by the employers in certain 
hazardous employments. In 1900 this 
was extended to include agriculture, and 
in 1906 a comprehensive act was j^assed 
which covers practically all occupations. 
The English law does not do away with 
the common law or the employers' 
liability act, but adds to them a surer 
and speedier method of settlement. In 
this it differs from most European 
systems and fails to reduce so fully as 
they do the waste and other undesirable 
results of litigation. Under this system 
most eniployers feel it necessary to 
insure their legal liability, and insurance 
companies are compelled to charge 
premiums to cover both the old and the 
new laws. In other words, when a 
company insures an employer it is buy- 
ing lawsuits as well as guaranteeing 
certain fixed rates of compensation for 
definite injuries. 

Massachusetts has followed fairly 
closely in the past, the lead of England 
in social legislation. The factory and 
labor laws of this state may be cited as 
instances. In these lines Massachusetts 
for many years set the pace for other 
states, but recently the rapid advances 
made in other parts of the country have 
raised a doubt as to whether this leader- 
ship still exists. Seven years ago a 
commission of which Carroll D. Wright 
was chairman, recommended the passage 
of a compensation act to provide relief 
for the victims of industrial accidents. 
If this measure could have been passed 
at that time, it would have kej^t Massa- 
chusetts in the lead, so far as this matter 



440 



COMPENSATION FOR INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS 



441 



is concerned, and wonld liave rei)eated 
the experience of the 80's when the com- 
monwealth was only seven years behind 
England in passing an employers' li- 
ability law. The bill failed to pass, 
however, and in spite of the efforts of 
the labor representatives who have re- 
introduced the measure every year since 
1904, the matter stands today just 
where it did seven years ago, and now 
if a compensation act is passed, the state 
will be fourteen instead of seven years 
behind England. Moreover, as other 
states, notably New York and Oregon, 
have passed similar legislation and at 
least seven other states seem likely to 
do likewise at their legislative sessions 
this winter, the question is not now one 
of leadership but rather of keeping up 
with the procession. 

On June 8, 1910, pursuant to a resolve 
of the General Court, Governor Draper 
appointed a commission of five members, 
to make a study of this whole matter. 
The commission was made up of two 
members of the Legislature and three 
outsiders. Two of the members were 
employers, one represented organized 
labor, and the other two were lawyers, 
who by reason of professional training 
and legislative experience, were con- 
sidered to be especially well equipped 
to deal with this problem. The members 
of the commission were James A. Lowell 
of Newton, chairman; Amos T. Saunders 
of Clinton; Magnus W. Alexander of 
Lynn; Henry Howard of Brookline; 
and Joseph A. Parks of Fall River. Mr. 
Saunders was made secretary and the 
writer was appointed as chief investigator. 

By the terms of the resolve creating 
the commission, it was instructed to 
make a careful investigation of the laws 
of other states and countries and to 
report the draft of a bill to the Legisla- 
ture on the second Wednesday of January, 
1911. It was also instructed "to corres- 
pond or confer with committees and 
commissions in other states considering 
the same subject," for the manifest 
purpose of promoting uniformity of 
legislation throughout the country. 

In following out these and other in- 
structions, the commission undertook 
several lines of investigation, held numer- 
ous public hearings, and took part in a 
number of very important conferences 



during the summer and fall. On De- 
cember 17 it published a tentative draft 
of a bill for public discussion and criti- 
cism. This bill in general conforms fairly 
closely to the English act and does not 
vary greatly from that proposed by the 
Carroll D. Wright Commission in 1904. 
It covers all employments; but employers 
who have not more than five persons in 
their service are exempted from its 
operation. It limits the operation of 
the employers' liability law to those 
persons not covered by this act so long 
as it may be in force, and provides for an 
irrevocable choice by the injured em- 
ployee or his legal representative, be- 
tween the act itself and the common law 
as a means of securing redress in case 
of personal injuries. 

The scale of compensation is as follows: 
In case death results from the injury, 
those wholly dependent upon the injured 
employe for support at the time of the 
accident are to receive 50 per cent of 
the average w^eekly wages of the de- 
ceased, but not more than ten dollars 
nor less than four dollars a week, for a 
period of three hundred weeks. Partial 
dependents are to receive a proportion 
of such weekly compensation, based 
upon the degree of their dependency. 
If no dependents are left, medical at- 
tendance and funeral expenses not to 
exceed $200 are to be provided. 

In case permanent total disability 
results from the accident, the injured 
employe is to receive a weekly compensa- 
tion of 50 per cent of his wages, not 
more than ten dollars nor less than four 
dollars a week, for a period of not more 
than three hundred weeks. If the dis- 
ability is only partial, the weekly com- 
pensation is not to exceed 50 per cent of 
the difference between earnings before 
and after the accident. 

In case of temporary disability, the 
same scale of benefits is provided during 
disability, if such disability does not 
continue beyond three hundred weeks 
from the date of injury. 

In all cases of disability a waiting 
period of two weeks is provided, during 
which, howe^•er, the employer must 
furnish necessary surgical or hospital 
treatment for the injured employe. 

The bill makes it possible for the em- 
ployer and his employes to contract 



44^ 



NEW BOSTON 



out of the provisions of the act if they 
can agree upon a scheme of insurance 
or compensation which carries benefits 
equally advantageous to the employes 
and if it meets with the approval of the 
Industrial Accident Board in whose 
hands is ])laced the execution of this law. 

This Industrial Accident Board is a 
unique feature which is not contained 
in the English model. It is to be made 
up of three members appointed by the 
governor, and its primary functions are 
to take charge of agreements and the 
arbitration of disputes under the act. 

In one other respect this bill is a distinct 
improvement on the English act. It 
provides for no lump sum settlements 
and permits the commutation of weekly 
payments only under extraordinary cir- 
cumstances and with the consent of the 
Industrial Accident Board. 

The commission was not satisfied with 
this bill when it was submitted for dis- 
cussion, and its doubts in regard to the 
expediency of some of the provisions 
contained therein have been so abundant- 
ly justified by the pronounced opposition 
developed since the draft was published, 
that it decided not to recommend the 
measure to the Legislature in making 
its report. 

The commission made a partial report 
to the Legislature on January 11, setting 
forth the results of its investigations 
and asking for at least two months' more 
time for the consideration of a bill. It 
further urged the desirability of more 
extensive investigations than it was 
able to make in six months, and recom- 
mended that an entire year be granted 
for such investigations and the prepara- 
tion of a final report. 

This recommendation is based upon 
several considerations, the most im- 
portant of which are: The ])ossibility 
of securing uniformity of legislation in 
the several states now considering the 
matter; the utilization of valuable sources 
of information in regard to the o])eration 
of the various foreign laws, which will 
soon be available; the gathering of full 



reports of accidents in the Common- 
wealth for a year as a basis for estimating 
the cost of any system which may be 
proposed; and finally, the necessity of 
securing the co-operation of employers 
and employes in shaping legislation. 

The commission feels that the present 
opposition, which is especially strong on 
the part of employers, can be largely 
overcome by further study. It does 
not hope to draft a perfect measure, 
but it is desirous of laying a foundation 
which will be safe and capable of modifica- 
tion to meet future conditions. It is 
still an open question whether the Eng- 
lish scheme meets these recpiirements, 
and whether such a plan can be properly 
safeguarded by insurance, without un- 
due cost, so as to guarantee payments 
to injured em})loyes and to protect 
the employer against overwhelming 
losses. 

This is by far the most important 
question before the American public 
at this time. Humanitarian sentiment, 
economic expediency, and social justice 
are all in accord in demanding a change 
from the old system based upon fault. 
The common law with its unfair defenses 
for the employer is a travesty on justice, 
and employers' liability laws which 
merely remove or modify the doctrines 
of assumption of risk, contributory 
negligence, and the fellow-servant rule, 
simply increase litigation and the wastes 
of the present system. It is coming to 
be recognized the world over, that with 
the introduction of new machines and 
methods there is an increasing number 
of casualties for which no one is directly 
responsible. These inevitable accidents 
constitute a necessary part of the social 
cost of the industrial system, and should 
be borne by the consumers in the price 
of the product as are all the other ex- 
penses of production. Society now bears 
this burden, but it falls with crushing 
weight upon the unfortunate victims, 
and is distributed imperfectly and with 
disastrous social consequences through 
public and private charity. 




BOSTON'S HOUSING LAWS 

EDWARD T. IIARTMAN 

S('crcl;iry Mas.sachu.s("tt.s Civic League 



IN 1007 the Massachusetts Legishiture 
passed a law by which building opera- 
tions in Boston have since been regu- 
lated. It was said at the time that 
building would be impossible under it. 
The law is in some respects not so rigid as 
the New York law. In New York enough 
buildings have been ])ut up under the 




ONE OF THE TIIHEE-STORY HOISES WI 
THE PALE OF THE TENEMENT HOI 
KEdULATION.-; 



new law to house two or three Bostons. 
In Boston enough have been put up to 
show that the law is seriously defective 
in many respects. For examjjle, as the 
law is at present interpreted, a man 
may buy up a lot of back yards and build 
over them; under the decisions the idea 
of "team play among open spaces," the 
basis of the back yard idea, has 
been done away with; and there 
are many similar points. Each 
year since the passage of the law, 
attempts have been made to 
weaken it, but the Legislature 
has seen fit to leave it as it is. 

This year there is manifest 
the beginnings of a public interest 
in the housing question. Doubt- 
less because this has led the health 
authorities to feel they would find 
some support, they have recom- 
mended, and the mayor has 
introduced, three amendments 
which are fundamental, and will, 
if enacted, prove of the utmost 
service. 

Section 42 of the present law 
reads: "A tenement house is any 
house, building, structure or por- 
tion thereof, occupied, or adapted 
for occupation, as a dwelling for 
more than three families, living 
independently of one another 
and doing their cooking u})on the 
l^remises, or by more than two 
families above the first story." 
The amendment will change 
the word "three" to the word 
"two." This is the New York 
definition, where the three-family 
flat is a rarity, Init it was refused 
in Boston where there are actual 
acres of three-family houses. 
Chicago las the only logical 
definition, wliere tenement reg- 
ulations a})uly to any places where 
entries, hallways and stairways are 
used in common by two or more 
families. But thechaiige will great- 
ly help the situation in Boston. 



THOIT 

SE 

443 



444 



NEW BOSTON 



Anotlier proposed change makes the 
maintenance of filthy conditions or of 
overcrowded con(Htions, in viohition of 
the regnhitions of the Ilealtli Depart- 
ment, misdemeanors. The Health De- 
partment is to determine in each in- 
stance who is responsible, whether owner, 
lessee, agent or occnpant. This will 



fill a most important need, if carefully 
followed by the Health Department. 
In many cases where bad conditions ])re- 
vail, the orders of the Health Depart- 
ment are i)ersistently ignored, and 
the present force of the department 
is not sufficient to maintain satisfac- 
tory conditions. Public opinion should 




THK I'llHKK S lOHY BUILDL\(; ON THE LEFT IS EXCLUDED FROM THE TENEMENT 
HOUSE REGULATIONS BY THE ACT OF 1907 



BOSTON'S HOUSING T.AWS 



44.) 



stand tor this iiurcased |)()\ver, likewise 
for its eiil'orccnuMil. 

A thir<l aiiieiHliiKMil will increase the 
number ol' sanitary police from five to ten. 
These officers are provided l)y the police 
department, upon re((uisition of the 
Health Department, after which the 
expense falls upon the Health Depart- 
ment. In order to secure a proper en- 
forcement of sueh orders as the Health 
Department may issue, a force of alert, 
capable officers is an absolute necessity. 
The present force is entirely inadequate. 

Another change of a more general 
nature which will be attempted this year 
has reference to the fire hazard. This 
hazard is in Boston greater than in most 
cities. In the North and West Ends the 
rear, wooden buildings, combined with 
the dilapidated condition of buildings 
generally, creates a serious hazard. In 
many other districts the large areas of 
wooden buildings constitute the hazard. 
Conditions favorable to a second Chelsea 
fire are too numerous for comfort, when 
we foolishly blind ourselves to the 
situation. A bill has been introduced to 
guard against increasing the areas cov- 
ered in the way described. Whether 
anything can be done beyond increas- 
ing the hvdrant service and the fire- 



fighting efficiency in the present areas 
is a (jueslion. The situation is serious 
and demands (he most careful attention. 
The mayor is asking a committee of 
citizens to give special attention to the 
problem with a view to securing the best 
possible results through whatever may 
be done. We are annually sending up 
in smoke entirely too much to the gods 
of indifference and waste. Our insurance 
rates are absurd and the cost of our 
fire-fighting service is the most expensive 
in the country. This cannot continue 
indefinitely. A city of dry sticks has 
not enough taxable value to provide 
protection. It will be more sane to build 
well and put our taxes into constructive 
work, which a fire-fighting force is not. 
We have in this respect been long 
enough an object of ridicule to European 
peoples, where they ])uild for time and 
not for the flames. 

Going back to tenement conditions, 
the condition of the private alleys an<l 
courts is in many places a nuisance and 
a menace to public health. The Health 
Department is apparently unanimous in 
favor of cleaning these spaces at the 
expense of the owners, but the matter 
was overlooked when the recommenda- 
tions were sent in. 



'* Here and there a social worker, overborne irith ihe sense of 
the futilitij of the old methods of relief irork, is pointing ont to his 
associates and directors that it is more important to hare adequate 
sanitary inspection in the homes of the poor than it is to provide 
coal and clothinc/ — that instrnctive visiting nursing mail })e l)etter 
than grocery tickets, that the city itself had l)etter spend its money 
to strengthen its health department, than to supply outdoor relief. 

^^Fa'cu Boston, where housing reform has been 'in cold storage' 
for the past twenty years, seems at last to hare been stung out of its 
self-satisfaction and complacency, and, though prophecy is dan- 
gerous, it may translate thought into action.'^ — Lawrence Veiller 
in The Survey. 



A CO-OPERATIVE INFORMATION 

BUREAU 

G. W. LEE 

Under tlic (icticral Manafi'rmiMit (tf a Local Committee of tlie S])ecial Lil)raries Assoeiation 



IN ninety-nine cases out of a hundred 
we may know where to look for 
needed information. If we have one 
question a day on the average to 
be answered, then the hundredth case 
happens at least three times a year. 
Individually this is not often, yet three 
times the ])oj)ulation of the community 
makes a total yearly niunber stifficiently 
large to suggest ample basis for a where- 
to-look center. 

Those who would consider whether 
this local enterprise may be of help to 
them, and whether, perchance, they 
would care to be listed among the co- 
operators, may be interested to know 
how the undertaking came about; what 
is its present scope and what it hopes 
to be. 

The Special Libraries Association was 
organized in the summer of 1909, its 
object being "to promote the interests 
of the commercial, industrial, technical, 
civic, municipal and legislative reference 
libraries, the special departments of ])ublic 
libraries, universities, welfare associa- 
tions and btisiness organizations." 

It publishes a bulletin. Special Librar- 
ies, every month, except July and August. 
Its president is John (^otton Dana, 
librarian at Newark, N. J.; its vice- 
president, Robert H. Whitten, librarian 
of the Public Service Commission of 
New York City; its secretary-treasurer, 
Guy E. Marion, librarian for Arthur D. 
Little, Inc., Boston; other members of 
the Executive Board are, respectively, 
Herbert O. Brigham, state librarian. 
Providence, R. I.; John A. Lapp, legis- 
lative reference librarian, Indianapolis, 
Ind.; G. W. Lee, librarian. Stone and 
Webster, Boston. 

Librarians, general and special, are 
notably seekers for information, and at 
a meeting of tlie association in IJoston, 
last November,* among the subjects 



for consideration was that of the facili- 
ties in Boston and vicinity for getting at 
information. A circular letter of inquiry 
had been sent to libraries, business 
houses and individuals, and the returns 
that were presented in the report sug- 
gest the manifold resources of the com- 
munity. Naturally the question then 
arose — What had better be done about 
it.'* Why not make the report the basis 
of an information center in Boston, 
which, if successful, might be copied 
elsewhere, eventually to form an inter- 
working system.^ Why not get further 
returns by inviting more libraries, more 
business houses, more men, to send 
memoranda of topics of which they have 
expert information or facilities for pro- 
curing, or on which they have jjublica- 
tions which they would allow to be listed 
at the headquarters as available for 
consultation or loan under such condi- 
tions as they might name.^ Such intiuiry 
was made, and as a result, a classified 
list of about 150 munbered topics was 
distributed, with the announcemeiit that 
the key to the numbers was at Boston- 
1915, (> Beacon Street, where, beginning 
on January 2 of this year, inquiries should 
be made. 

The first question asked was for 
literature on efficiency engineering, which 
the key showed that participant No. 41 
was sponsor for. As fate would have it. 
No. 41 occupied a room within fifty feet 
of him who put the question, and we 
may expect that one of the results of 
this clearing house system will be to 
awaken us to the resources close at hand. 
The publicity has been limited largely 
to the participants and the questions 
have been expectedly few. Moreover, 
as it is a voluntary undertaking thus far, 
perhaps the fewer the questions the 



* Reported in Special Libraries {ov Jan., 1911, which 
may be had for the asking. 



■14G 



A CO-OPERATIVE INFORIMATION 15UREAU 



447 



better in this testing out stage. We need 
to consider carefully some of the initial 
problems, ])articularly to learn the (|uality 
and the limitations of sponsorships. If 
John Smith is the man to refer to on 
real estate, how efficiently and im- 
partially does he handle real estate 
questions.^ How many sponsors are 
needed for various t()i)ics? Should not 
four or five suffice for real estate? And 
in what order of preference should they 
be arranged? It is easy to see that many 
administrative problems may readily 
arise. 

The topics listed to date are substan- 
tially as follows, the numbers referring 
to the participants (/. e., sponsors for 
the topics), whose names and addresses 
are kept at the headcpiarters : 

*Accicients, 2, 60; Accounting, 12, 22, GO; Acts 
and resolves, see Statutes; * Advertising, 27; 
Aerating reservoirs, 47; Aeronautics, 2; Agricul- 
ture (experiment stations, etc.), 36, 50; (education) 
50; Alloys, 2; Analysis (hygienic), 42; f Appren- 
ticeship, 60; Arbor Day, 50; * Architecture, 2; 
Art, municipal, 50; outdoor, 50; Arts and Crafts, 
50; Atlases, 3, 19, 22, 27, 30, 60. 

Back numbers and sets of periodicals, 29, 44, in- 
surance, labor and railroad reports, Mass., 58; Bank- 
ing and bank reports, 12, 26, 29, 50, 57, 60; Baths, 50; 
fBetterment work, (iO; Billboards, 50; Biography, 
3; Blind, 14, 50; Boilers, 2; Bond offering circu- 
lars, 26; Boston city ordinances and department 
reports, 36; Boys, 50; Boys" clubs, 50; Bridges, 2; 
Budgets, 50; Building construction, 2; codes and 
laws, 45, 59; Business administration, 12, 22, 41; 
education, 50. 

Cai)ital, 2, 29, 50; Catalogues of engineering 
trades, 29, .35, 42, colleges, etc., 36; Census returns, 
2, 3, 13, 19, 29, 35, 36, 43; Chambers of Commerce 
reports, 59; Charit-ies-v, 19, 50, 60; Chemistrv, 
2, 42, 59; Child labor. .36, 50; Children, 50; 
Children's encyclopedia, see Encyclopedia; Church, 
social work of, 50; *City planning, 50; *plans, 59; 
Civic improvement,. 50; Civil engineering, 2, 29, 
42, 59; Classification, 16, 60, see also Catalogue: 
Decimal system; Clippings, 24, 33; Clock, see also 
watch; Coal, see Fuel; Commerc-ial law, 12, 22; 
Concrete, 2, 29; Conservation, 50; Cooling ponds 
and towers, 47; Co-operative loans, 36; Correction- 
al agencies, 19; Cost of living, 50; Crime and 
criminals, 50; Currency reports of Comptroller of, 
13; Cyclopedias, see Encyclopedias. 

Dams, 2, 22; Dancing, 50; Decimal system of 
classification, 33, (iO; Dictionaries (see also Lan- 
guages), 19, 24, 27, 29, 30, 41. 60; Directories, 
general. 22, 28; special, 19, 22, 27, 29, 60; Divorce, 
50; Doctors theses, 59; Domestic science, 36; 
Dyes and dyeing, 2. 

Economics, 12, 13, 19, 41, 50, 60; Education 
(see also Agriculture, Business, Industrial, Physi- 
cal, Vocational), 16, 36, 50, 60; Efficiency engi- 
neering, 41; Eleetric-al engineering, 2, 22, 25, 29, 
59; railways, 29, .35; fEniployers' liability, 60: 
Emi)loyment offices, 19, 36; Encyclopedias. 19, 
24, 27, 29, .30, 3(i, 60; (Children's), (il; Engin.'cring, 



2, 11, 22. 23, 29, 59; societies, transactions, 2, 22, 
29, 44, 59; Entomology, 9; Esperanto, 29; Etliics, 
50; Eugenics, 50; Experiment stations, see al.so 
Agriculture. 

Factory inspection, 2, 36, 50; Finance, 12, 22, 
26, 29; Fine Arts, 5; Fire waste, 45; Fire.s, 45; 
Forestry, 2; Fourth of Julv, 50; fFranchises, 
60; Fuel, 2, 50. 

(larbage disposal, 42; (larden cities, 50; (Jas, 
2, 29, 49; Genealogy, 20; (icology. 2; (Jirls, 50. 

Handbooks, engineering, 2, 22, 23, 29; Heat, 2; 
History, see New England, State (name), 'J'own, 
etc.; Home econcjmics, 36. 50; Housing prol)leni, 
50; **Humidifying, ; Hydraulics, 2, 22; Hy- 
giene, 2, 42, 50. 

Immigration. 46, 50, (iO; Industrial and mis- 
cellaneous corj)oration reports, 12, 19; education, 
see Vocational training; statistics, 43; Instalment 
business, 36; Insurance, 12, 19. 26, 45, 50, 60 (See 
also Savings Bank Insurance, also Back num- 
bers); Irrigation, 2, 22. 

Kindergarten, 50. 

Labor, 2, 13, 19, 36, 43, 50, (iO. (See also Back 
numbers). Landscape gardening, 50; Languages, 
foreign (dictionaries), 2, 3, 19, 29, 41; **Lantern 
slides; Laws, see Statutes; *Lecture service, 51; 
Legacies, making of, 19; Legislation, 3, 13, 19, 
50, 60; Libraries, 50; Library teclinique, 16, 60; 
Lighting, 2, 29; Liquor problem, 50; Lockouts, 
see Labor. 

**Management, scientific; Manufactures (statis- 
tics), 43; *Maps, 3, 60 (see also Topographic maps); 
Marriage, 50; Massachusetts history, 3, 21; 
Mathematics, 2, 22; Mechanical engineering, 2, 
29, 59; Medical inspection, 50; Metallurgy, 2; 
Metals, 2; Milk, 50; mineral industry, 2*, 29; 
Mining, 2; Money, responses to appeals for, 19; 
Moral reform agencies, 19; Municipal franchi.ses, 
4.3, 60; government, 50; lighting, 2, 29, 42, 49, 60; 
Music, 5. 

fXatural resources, 60; .science, 2, 22; Naval 
architecture, 2; Negroes, 50; New England his- 
tory, 3, 21; *Newspapers, etc., 3, 36; *Nuisances: 
flies, mosquitoes, smoke, 50. 

*()ccupati<)ns, dangerous, 50; Oils, 2; Old- 
age pensions, see Pensions; **Ordinances, see also 
different cities; Ore deposits, 2; dressing, 2. 

Pageants, 50; Paper, 2; Parks, 50; Patents, 
27; Pensions, 50, 60; Periodicals (see also Back 
numbers, technical, egrg., 2, 22, 23, 29, 35; chemical, 
2; general, 30; sociological. 36. Philanthropy, 
13, 60; Photography. 2; Physical e«lueation, 50; 
Planning, see city; Play. 50; Playgrounds, 50; 
*Political science, 50; Probation. 50; Public docu- 
ments. 2, 3, 19, 22, 41, 60; *utilities, 49; commis- 
sions reports, 3, 29, 35; *ulility cor]ioration re- 
l)orts, 12; Publishing business, 12; Pumps and 
])umping, 2. 

Railroad reports, 12, 26, 29; Railroading, 2, 12, 
13, 29 (See also Electric railways); *Real estate, 
48; Reference books. 2, 16, 19, 22, 24, .30, 60; 
Refrigeration, 2; Re]>orts, see various topics, also 
Back numbers; Rubi)cr. 2, 60. 

Salesnianshi]), see \Ocatioiial training; Sanita- 
tion, 2, 42; Sa\"ings bank insurance. 3(i; *Sehools, 
50; catalogues, see Catalogues (colleges, etc.); 
lunc-hes, .36; |Scicntifie American and Sui)plenient. 
27; *Seeurities, 29, 60; Sewage and sewerage. 2. 
42, 47; Ship l)uilding, 2; *.>hoe and leather, k 
Smoke, see also Nuisance; Social directt)ries. 19, 
29, 41; oruani/alion, 41; work. 19. 41. 50; Soci:il- 



448 



NEW BOSTON 



ism, 50; Society transactions and proceedings, 
44 (See also Egrg. soc); Sociology, 50, 5!); Sjieak- 
ers, see Lecture service; Specifications for building, 
3J5; Spray engineering, 47; State and city docu- 
ments, 3, 19, 60, (see also Insurance, Railroad, 
Labor); Statistics, 2, 19, 29, 36, 42, 43, 50, 60; 
Statutes (acts, resolves), 3, 17, 19, 22, 36; U. S., 
13, 19, 00. *Steam engineering, 2; **Steel, ; 
Strikes, see Labor; Sugar, 2, 60. 

*Taxation, 50; *Teaching, 50; Technical library 
literature, 16; Telegrai)h, 2; Telephone, 2, 38; 
Tenement houses, 19, 50; **Textiles, ; Texts, 
early English, etc., 15; Therapeutics, 50; Thrift, 
36; Topographic maps, 3, 22, 29; Town history, 
etc.. New England, 3, 20, 50; planning, see City 
planning; *Towns, 3, 50; Trade catalogues, see 
Catalogues; Union, 50. Training, see education; 
Transportation, 12, 29, 60; Tuberculosis, 19, 50; 
*Turbines, steam, 2; *water, 2. 

United States, see Census. 

*^^illage improvement, 50; Vocational training, 
16, 19, 36, 46, 50, 60. 

Wage systems, 36, 60; * Wages, 50; Watch and 
clock manufacturer, 10; *Water, 2; *power, 2, 60; 
*purification. supply, 2, 42. *Wlieels, 22; Works, 
2, 23, 42; *Welfare work, 50; W^omen in industry, 
36; W^orkmen's compensation, 50. 

*Year books of organizations (local), 41. 

For most topics five or six sponsors 
may be needed, the marks indicating 
those for which they are wanting or 
particularly desired. 

A nearly complete list of the partici- 
pants to date is as follows: 

Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Co.; Boston 
Book Company; Boston-1915; Boston Safe De- 
])osit & Trust Company; Boston Society of Civil 
Engineers;; Boston Young Men's Christian Union; 
Brockton Public Library; Brookline Pul)lic Library; 
Hureau of Statistics; Children's Aid Society; 
Christian Science Monitor; Congregational Library; 
C()ui)er & Bailey, Architects; Edison Electric Il- 
luminating Co.; Graduate School of Business 
Administration (Harvard); Harvard University 
Library; D. C. & Wm. B. Jackson; Lee, Higgin.son 
& Company; Massachusetts Historical Society; 

* More sponsors needed. 

**Returns on these topics desirable; none received 
to date. 

t 60, Library of Congress. Local resources also needed 
for this topic. 

t It is hoped that soon a list of technical periodicals 
availaV)le in the business district will be compiled. 



Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Mellin's 
Food Company; Metcalf & Eddy; Metropolitan 
Coal Company; Milton Public Library; Parker, 
George S.; Perkins Institution for the Blind; 
Political Economy Library (Harvard); Hadclifi'e 
College Library; Sampson & Murdock Company; 
Spray Nozzle Companv; Simmons College Library; 
Smith, W. H.; Stone & Webster; Tenney, C. H. & 
Company; Town Room; Twentieth Century 
Club; Vocation Bureau; W'altham Public Library; 
Weston, Robert Spurr; Wheeler, William; Wilkie 
E. A., (New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- 
pany) ; Women's Educational and Industrial 
Union; Youth's Companion. 

Absent from the above list is the Boston 
Public Library, but because that insti- 
tution is presumably a source of informa- 
tion for substantially all the topics listed, 
it has been thought best not to include 
it at present. Moreover, if it were always 
available for everything wanted, there 
would hardly be need for looking to 
other sources at all; but how can it be 
expected to specialize on all topics .^^ and 
how familiar are the memoranda on the 
slips that come back to us when calling 
for books, saying "Out," "Not on the 
shelf," "Missing," "Bindery"! 

A general invitation is hereby extended 
to all who will co-operate by sending 
in topics upon which they may be re- 
ferrred to, whether those already on the 
list, or ones not yet listed. 

Until further notice, commimications 
may be addressed to Special Libraries 
Association, G Beacon Street, Boston, 
Room 405, telephone, Haymarket 890. 

The Local Committee is as follows: 

G. W. Lee, (Chairman) Librarian Stone & 
Webster, 147 Milk Street. Boston; Charles W. 
Birtwell, Secretary Children's Aid Society, 43 
Charity Bldg., Boston; E. I. Cooper, Cooper & 
Bailey." 89 Franklin Street. Boston; D. N. Handy, 
Librarian Insurance Library Association, 141 
Milk Street. Boston; L. B. Hayes. Librarian 
Boston Chamber of Commerce. 171 Milk Street. 
Boston; G. E. Marion. Librarian A. D. Little, Inc., 
93 Broad Street. Boston. 




THE PUBLIC GARDEN IN WINTER 




WINTHROP PARENTS' ASSOCIATION 



REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF THE 
"LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE" 



JOHN W. DeBRUYN 



ONE of the writer's earliest recollec- 
tions is a song which began, "Dear, 
dear, what can the matter be, 
parents won't visit the school." Wheth- 
er the parents of that day had any 
particular desire to visit the schools I 
do not know, but anyway the sentiment 
of the old song does not apply today, 
for fathers and mothers are beginning 
to show real interest in securing an ac- 
quaintance with their children's schools 
and teachers. 

The Home and School Association 
of Boston, composed of thirty odd 
parents' associations, aims to connect 
the parent and the teacher so that 
sympathy, harmony, co-operation and 
understanding of the child may result. 

The greatest - problem of parenthood 
is that pertaining to the knowledge of 
child development. In these days of 
investigation into genetic psychology 
— into the growth and process of animal 
minds — and the application of results 
to child training, a great mass of useful 
information has been accumulated. The 
Home and School Association j)laiis 
make it possible ft)r every j)arent to share 
that infornuition. 

No one can predict the pari wliich 



the school district may take in the 
life of cities. Surely it is the best in- 
clusive social unit. Ever since the days 
of the little red schoolhouse, where 
the community fathers gathered and ran 
affairs of government, it has always been 
the most democratic place of meeting. 
Because of sympathy founded on filial 
affection, the parents can be drawn into 
the school building in the common inter- 
ests of themselves and of their children. 

The Home and School Association 
has taken as its final object the construc- 
tive moral and physical development 
of the school district. To revive in 
school districts, where now is a "city 
wilderness" of lonely isolation, the lost 
art of neighborliness, to quicken in some 
the spirit of good citizenship and to give 
public opinion a free focus point of ex- 
pression, to bring about in others cleaner 
streets, better sanitation and more beauti- 
ful homes, to stimulate in all the homely 
cpialities of kindness, truth, loyalty, 
freedom and service — that is what the 
Home and School Association is trying 
to do. 

If tills kindly sentiment and neigh- 
borly feeling so noticeable at meetings 
of ])arenls in the schoolhouse, could be 



U\) 



450 



NEW BOSTON 




LOWELL PARENTS" ASSOCL\TION 



cultivated in every school district of 
Boston, and crystallized and finally 
brought to a head in some such organi- 
zation as Boston-1915, there would be 
effected such a social consciousness that 
Boston would be an object of admiration 
and emulation to the other cities of this 
country. 

Just how does the Boston Home and 
School Association hope to bring these 
ideals into realization? First of all, the 
movement's distinguishing trait is its 
democracy. Not a few but all must co- 
operate. Although leadership is neces- 
sary, it must not overbalance the essen- 
tial town meeting. iVnd while at first, 
as in the initial stage of any movement, 
the aid of philanthropy nuist be sought, 
the support eventually nuist come from 
the people themselves. 

Thus the different branches of the 
work have their special committees. 
The central committees of tiie Home and 
School Association considers hygiene, 
home and school visiting, home and 



school gardens, the further use of school 
buildings, vocational guidance, art and 
music, the theater, parents and children's 
reading, school decoration and work 
against the cigarette. Many local 
parents' associations have like com- 
mittees to consider corresponding activi- 
ties. Pursuant on vigorous growth it 
has become desirable to connect the 
work of central and local committees 
having the san:e object, so that this 
year conferences of central and local 
committees will be held. In this way 
it may properly be said that in its 
method of organization and procedure 
the Home and School Association re- 
sembles the greater Boston-ll)15. 

First among home and school activi- 
ties are the [ arents' meetings. These 
occur, on the a\(':age, once in six weeks. 
The president, v.lio is frecjuently the 
master of the (!i Irict, forwards to the 
parents, tlirot,' li the school children, 
written or j)riiilc(l announcements of 
the meeting. 1 hen in the afternoon or 



REVIVING THE SPIRIT OF THE "LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE" 451 



evening of the day designated, the 
parents gather in the school hall- — there 
have been meetings of a thousand 
people — to listen to a talk of interest to 
parents. The Child in the School and 
in the Home, Moral Training for the 
Modern Child, Humors of Child- 
hood, The Boy at the Cross Roads, 
The Best Books for Boys and (iirls 
to Read, The City Boy, Moral Train- 
ing for the Modern Child, Self Control 
as a Health Promoter in Children, 
Keep the Boy Off the Street, Training 
for Citizenship, Home Training for School 
Children, Social Conditions of the Com- 
munitv as Thev Affect the School, Clean 
Streets and ^Markets, The Effect of To- 
bacco on Growing Boys — one may judge 
from this list of lectures that fathers and 
mothers have gone from these meetings 
with much to think over for the benefit 
of their boys and girls. Music, con- 
tributed frecjuently by local talent and 
often by choruses of school children, 
adds to the enjoyment. During the 



social hour the people mingle freely. 
The esprit de corps develoj)ed at these 
meetings of ])arents and teachers has 
done much to increase the efficiency 
of the Boston school system. 

Another great ol)ject of the Home 
and School .Vssociation — the scientific 
study of child training — though covered 
by the lectures at the regular gatherings, 
has been pursued with vigor in the 
meetings of mothers in small groups 
and in "discussion clubs." One can 
easily imagine the thousand and more 
problems which confront parents in 
the home and how valuable are these 
conferences where specialists can be 
met and (piestions quickly answered. 

The scientific study of child develoj;- 
ment calls for a knowledge of hygiene, 
and so a committee, under the leader- 
ship of Mrs. Ellen H. Richards, devotes 
attention to that need. The care of the 
teeth, feeding of children, adenoids, 
contagious diseases, prevention of dis- 
eases, sanitation, clean towels, hot 




LOWIOLL SCHOOL OIU'IIKSTHA 



452 



NEW BOSTON 




DKIMONSTRATION LECTURE ON MEASLES, HUGH OBRIEX PARENTS" ASS()CL\TION 



water in the school room, the larger 
questions of food values and matters of 
thrift, markets and city streets — not 
one of these topics has been neglected. 
The same committee has logically gone 
into the problem of the school luncheon. 
The penny lunch experiment which 
provides for the selling of lunches in 
the schoolhouse to hungry children at 
10:80 each morning, now covers eight 
centers. The report of the Hygiene 
Committee, stating that "the hundreds 
of children who have had six weeks' 
feeding show the result in increased 
weight, better color, more receptive, 
active minds," gives the committee 
basis for its future work. 

An experiment has been in ])rocess 
in the schools wnthin recent years about 
which the general public has had little 
information. Up to this time a wide 
gulf has been fixed between parent and 
teacher. Many parents have been too 
busy to come frequently to the schools 
for information concerning their children, 
while the teacher has been too busy to 
visit the homes; and the pupils involved 
have suffered a consequent loss. Truant 
officers and school nurses have i)artly 
l)ridged this gulf. But with the one 
the agent of the law and the other limited 
to questions of physical health, the large 
body of causes in the field of social 
])ath()U)gy as they concern the home and 
tile school, have been liardly touched. 
In the Eliot District in the North End 
where exist congestion, "ignorance of 



laws and customs, poverty, avarice and 
other conditions which place heavy bur- 
dens upon the schools," the home and 
school visitor has investigated cases of 
persistent tardiness, uncleanness, back- 
wardness, gambling, truancy, insuffi- 
cient clothing and street loafing; she has 
applied remedies so that "the public 
school attendance and punctuality have 
materially increased, cleanliness im- 
proved, and a general advance made 
upon unsatisfactory conditions." 

In no case is mutual assistance be- 
tween parent and teacher more neces- 
sary than in vocational guidance. De- 
cision regarding a jjupil's fitness and like- 
lihood for success in a given occui)ation, 
requires the judgment of both ])arent 
and teacher. In the furthering of this 
aspect of its function the Home and 
School Association last year provided 
several lectures and counsel sessions 
which parents attended with great in- 
terest. 

The field in which the Home and 
School Association operates fairly bristles 
with opportunities. It would take too 
long to describe adequately the effective 
work of tlie committee on parents' read- 
ing, children's reading, home and school 
gardens, the cigarette and the theater. 

Much is heard these days about the 
increased use of school buildings. The 
proposition is very simple; if school 
buildings are now used but six hours 
in the day, why not double on the tax- 
payers' money by keeping them open eight, 



REVIVINCI THE SPIRIT OF THE "Em LE HEI) S( HOOLIIOUSE" 453 



ten or twelve liours a day? The ques- 
tion is largely one of administration. 
True, the school expenses might be made 
larger by the expenses of increased heat, 
light and janitor serivce, but from the 
tax-payer's point of view it seems busi- 
ness-like to say that the capital invested 
in school grounds, buildings and equip- 
ment should have a potential use value 
whose capitalization is greater in amount 
than that of increased running expense. 
Certainly if we could capitalize the 
good which would come to the com- 
munity from the increased use of its 
school buildings, the proposition would 
seem from the good citizens' standpoint 
still more reasonable. 

The school committee has already 
recognized the feasibility of the project 
and on February 21, 1910, it invited 
the Home and School x\ssociation com- 
mittee on the further use of school 
buildings to be an official advisory body 
on that matter. This committee, as a 
beginning, has planned the following 
activities which do not involve any 
change in the construction of school 
buildings; parents' meetings, vocational 



activities, junior cWh- clubs, reading 
circles or discussion clubs, mothers' 
classes, evenings with pictures and nnisic. 

It would be a great addition to the 
community life of the jx'ople were it 
possible to have a neighborliood center 
in every school district — a place where 
every parent without spending car fare 
could go to hear lectures not only on 
child training, l)ut on history, biography, 
travel and other matters of education; 
where every mother could listen to good 
music, and choral classes could gather; 
where the stereopticon could show views 
from all over the world and churches, 
mountains, strange vegetation, marts 
of trade, habits and costumes of jicople, 
or representations of famous pictures 
in the Art Museum; where ideals of 
citizenship and methods of government 
could be taught to young men; where 
advice about life occupations could be 
dispensed by skilled vocational advisers 
to young men and young women. 

By such means as this the Home and 
School Association is endeavoring to 
revive the spirit of the "little red school- 
house." 




THE NEW Y. M. C. A. BUILDING 



GEORGE W. IVIEHAFFEY 

GentTiil Secretary 



THE new Young Men's Christian 
Association plant will be a radical 
departure from the conventional 
association l)uildings found in the 
other cities, in that it will consist of 
a group of buildings instead of all de- 
partments of work being housed under 
one roof. 

This new arrangement is made possible 
by the splendid area of the new site, 
which contains 155,000 sfjuare feet. 
The location is on Huntington Avenue, 
adjoining the New England Conserva- 
tory of Music and extends over four 
hundred feet along the avenue to the 
American League baseball grounds and 
back an average depth of 375 feet. 

The buildings, six in number, will 
cover with light areas, about 59,000 
square feet of land. They will consist 
of the administration building, in which 
the executive offices and the religious 
and social activities wall be accom- 
modated; to the right, the association 
hall Iniilding, seating about 500, and 
al)ove which will l)e located the employ- 
ment department, the camera and other 
club rooms. To the right of the ad- 
ministration building will be the boys' 
and educational building, the former 
l)eing on the first floor with an inde- 
pendent entrance, and the latter occupy- 
ing the third, fourth and fifth floors 
and having one of the most complete 
equipments in the city. The heating 
and lighting plant will occupy a part 
of the basement of this building. Above 
these buildings will be additional stories 
providing living rooms for over 200 
young men. Leading off from the lobby 
of the administration building will l)e 
a corridor comnumicating with the 
natatorium and the physical depart- 
ment. The former will be a building 
40 by 100, containing a swimming pool 
25 by 75, one of the finest in the city, 
and the latter will be a three-story 
building and l)asement 75 by 188 con- 
taining, in addition lo all the ecinipment 



of a modern gymnasium, six fine bowl- 
ing alleys, four large handball courts, 
a complete massage department, and 
various jjrivate exercising rooms. Both 
of these buildings will have skylights 
admitting both light and sunshine, 
rendering them particularly attractive. 

In the rear, and accessible from St. 
Botolph Street, will be the vocational 
school building, 140 by 57, consisting 
of two stories and basement. This will 
be a valuable addition to the associa- 
tion's educational department equip- 
ment . 

The remaining unoccupied land will 
be graded and used for athletic pur- 
poses, which will include tennis and 
handball courts, a fourteen lap running- 
track, a hundred yard straight away, 
pole vaulting, high jump and broad 
jump pits, quoits, etc. 

No association equipment in North 
America will surpass this one in com- 
pleteness, though others may be more 
ornate. Simplicity is the aim here, and 
it is fitting that Boston, the ])arent 
association of them all, should be so 
well jjrovided for. Plans for the main 
plant are being made by Shepley, Rutan 
and Coolidge, and those for the voca- 
tional school by Clinton J. Warren. 
Building operations on the latter build- 
ing will begin very shortly, and it will 
be ready for occupancy by early summer. 
The association management hopes to 
have the main structure ready for the 
opening of the fall work of 1912. 

The association, now housed at Nos. 
2, 8 and 10 Ashburton Place, has just 
closed a remarka])ly fine year's work 
in all departments and it will undoubtedly 
move into its new ])lant with a large 
and well-organized work, notwithstand- 
ing the severe handicap caused by the 
loss of its Berkeley Street building. 
This new association plant will be a 
fine addition to our city and will be one 
of the striking imi)rovements of the 
Boston-1915 period. 



451 



CONVENIENCE STATIONS AND 
DRINKING FOUNTAINS 



AFTER a thorough study of the ques- 
tion of puhHc convenience stations, 
both in this country and abroad, 
tiie Connnittee on Pubhc Health of the 
I nited Improvement x\ssociation reported 
hist September to the mayor. Board of 
Health and City Council and made recom- 
mendations, which are being acted upon by 
the Board of Health. These recommenda- 
tions look to the gradual increase of public 
toilet facilities, both in the down-town dis- 
trict, and later at junction points in the out- 
lying sections by the building of at least 
one well-equipped station each year. 

Acting with the United Improvement 
Association, the Neighborhood Confer- 
ence of Boston-1915 chose for its im- 
mediate work, co-operation in securing 
these convenience stations at the most 
needed points, together with an investi- 
gation of public drinking fountain fa- 
cilities. In order to secure information 
regarding community needs in this re- 
spect, a letter in which the following 
questions were asked was sent to a 
number of social and civic organizations: 

1. Are any public drinking fountains (either 
inside or outside fountains) needed in your neigh- 
borhood? 

2. If so, at what particuhir sites? 

.'5. Are any pubhc convenience stations needed 
in your neighi>orhood? 

4. If so, at what particular sites? 

Among the replies received the follow- 
ing are ({uoted, showing the general 
lack of proper pul)Iic toilet facilities and 
drinking fountains: 

We are well supplied with drinking fountains 
at Forest Hills, but one of the most needed reforms 
or requirements is a convenience station at Forest 
llills Square. All the teaming from the towns 
beyond, both Hyde Park and Koslindale and 
Dedham directions, come through the Square. 
At present the contractors are working on Stony 
Brook. The postmen and police say it is very 
necessary to have a convenience station at this 
point. 

MRS. A. H. ROOT, 
Sec, FruHcifi Parkinaii Parcnt.s' A.s:sn. 



We are near a drinking fountain but I should 
think one might be replaced at Glovers Corner 
to advantage or on Dorchester Avenue near Kimball 
Street in the saloon district. As to convenience 
stations one at the junction of .\dams Street and 



Dorchester Avenue near tiic Field's Corner Post 
Office and one at (ilovers Corner or between Field's 
and (irlovers (\)rner. 

GLADYS ABBOTT, 

Resident in rliiirge, Dorchester House. 



After lo(jking over the ground carefully and 
considering the probable changes in this neighbor- 
hood, I may say that both a public drinking fountain 
and a convenience station are nuich needed, and 
the best location would be on the triangle at the 
junction of Shawmut Avenue and Trcmont Street 
where Warrenton Street crosses both streets. As 
the subway is directly imderneath there might 
be difficulty as to the convenience station. Some 
other near-by station might be located. .\s to the 
need of both there can be no question. 

B. F. McDAXIEL, 

Barnard Memorial. 



There appears to be no need of additional con- 
venience stations or drinking fountains in this 
neighborhood. We would like to see the drinking 
fountain on the junction of Cabot and Tremont 
Streets equipped as a bubble, dipperless fountain. 
EDWARD P. SHUTE, 
Prcs., Sherman- Hyde Parents' Assn. 



In the entire West End there is no place for any 
man or woman to get a drink of water. In the 
summer time there is an opportunity at the Charles- 
bank, one foimtain being in the open space in the 
men's gymnasium and the other being in the girls' 
playground. 

Two places, one at the end of the West Boston 
bridge and the other at the end of the dam, are 
suitable for the construction of public convenience 
stations and drinking fountains. In both cases 
the streets are main arteries leading to Cambridge 
and are used daily by a large numljer of people 
and teams. One other placi — Bowdoin Scjuare — 
is deei(l(>dly in need of l)oth drinking fountain and 
public convenience station. There the station 
could t)e placed underground in the middle of the 
square and there would be no expen.sc in acquiring 
land. Bowdoin Square is a very congested district, 
and a drinking fountain and convenience station 
for that place should be urged strongly. 

The Square at the junction of ^Ierrimac and 
Causeway Streets has already a drinking fountain 
for horses, and an old-fashioned drinking fountain 
for men, which is not allowed under the present 
law. This practically meets the need, but not 
wholly. The drinking fountain for horses is running 
the year round, but tlie other is clo.sed in the winter 
and the need for women and children is not met. 
The North Station and two or three hotels are not 
far away. 



We have one public building, the Ward Room 
on Blossom Street, which is situated right in the 



455 



456 



NEW BOSTON 



midst of Iho toncnK-nl district. Would it not he 
possil)lo to place ;i drinkin<;- fountain there directly 
in front or on the wall of I he i)uildinf,^^ 

FRKDKHICK \V. IUN(.DAIIL, 

Elizabeth Pcubody IIoii.sc. 



Drinking fountains are not required in our im- 
mediate neighborhooil, but if one would he secured 
for Day Square at the junction of Chelsea, Benning- 
ton and Prescott Streets, East Boston, it could he 
a blessing to the Fourth Section of J^ast Boston, 
in which we are located. Convenience stations 
are a crying need all over the city of Boston; there 
should be at least one located in every square of 
our city and its suburbs. There is no such accom- 
modation in East Boston and I think one should 
be established in Maverick Square, Central Square, 
Day Square and near Orient Heights Station. 
Might I suggest that our immediate district is 
terribly neglected as to sidewalks; a large per- 
centage of our streets have practically no sidewalks 
at all. In the winter we are ankle deep in mud 
and in summer ankle deep in pulverized ashes. 
ARTHUR J. PAGE, 
Pres., Binhop Cheverus and 
Paul Jones Parents' Assn. 



A drinking fountain is needed very much indeed 
at Breed's Square, Orient Heights. At the present 
time we have an old rusty, played out foimtain 
(an old-fashioned thing) that is worthless. We 
would like you to do all you can to have placed 
in Breed's Square an up-to-date bubbling fountain 
in place of this old-fashioned one that we have. 
As far as a public convenience station at Orient 
Heights goes, we do not want it as we believe it 
would be a nuisance. 

JAMES HAIN, 
Sec, Orient Heights Improvement Assn. 



An underground convenience station is much 
needed and could be very easily located on the 
pnjperty of the city in front of the old Franklin 
School House on Washington Street. There is 
already a public drinking place at this point. 



There is a ])iiblic drinking fountain in the tri- 
angle at the corner of Tremont and Montgomery 
Streets. There is no arrangement at this i)oint 
for having the watci- iced in sununer. It is extremely 
important that this should he done as this is at the 
entrance of a large lodging iiouse tlistrict in which 
very few people can, without considerable incon- 
venience and expense, supply themselves in summer 
with cool drinking water. 

There is a public drinking fountain with ecpiip- 
nient fo: cooling the water in front of the municipal 
gymnasium, corner of Harrison Avenue and Plymp- 
ton Street. There is considerable trouble each 
summer in getting this fountain in operation. It 
ought to he made the regular duty of .some city 
official to have this done. 

ROBERT A. WOODS, 

South End Iiouse. 



We have no drinking fountain in our neighbor- 
hood. We have one inside the Sailors' Haven for 
the use of the seamen and workers, but nothing 
outside. 

A drinking fountain on W'ater Street, where the 
passengers going to and from the ocean .steamers, 
people visiting the Navy Yard, the ilock laborers, 
freight handlers, all sorts and conditions of people 
who use Water Street, would he well placed. 

Regarding public convenience stations, there is 
none in Charlestown of which I know. The public 
is forced to go to a bar-room or some public in- 
stitution. Convenience stations are needed all 
over Charlestown, and I would suggest one in 
Thompson Square, Hancock Square, City Square. 
STANTON H. KING, 

Supt., Sailor.s' Haven. 



We would recommend, for this neighborhood, 
a public drinking fountain to be located at the 
junction of Ruggles and Tremont Streets, directly 
in front of the branch of the Boston Public Library. 
W'e also suggest that a public convenience station, 
located at Roxbury Crossing, would supply a long 
felt want in this community. 

THOMAS BURDETT, 
Asst. Snpt., Peoples Institute. 




THE HARVARD BRIDCJE AT NIGHT 



WHAT THE AUTO HAS DONE FOR 

BOSTON 



CHESTER 1. CAMPBELL 



THE average person, not intimately 
acquainted with the automobile 
trade, has Httle conception of the 
marvelous development of the industry. 
Of course, the great number of auto- 
mobiles seen in the streets, the byways 
and the parks, impresses one with the 
magnitude of the business, but it is only 
by getting at figures that a real knowl- 
edge of the situation may be obtained. 
The growth is all the more astounding 
when it is realized that it has all been 
gained in a single decade, as it was about 
1900 before the first general agency was 
established in Boston. 

In 1895, Kenneth A. Skinner, who has 
the honor of being the pioneer in the 
field, brought from Europe the first 
motor-propelled vehicle, a DeDion 
Bouton tricycle. Two years later he 
introduced a four-wheeled vehicle of 
the same make. In 1898 or 1899 a 
steamer made in Cambridge was the 
only notable addition to the list, until 
in the following year the Locomobile 
(\>mpany established an agency under 
the management of J. H. MacAlman, 
the present president of the Boston 
Automobile Dealers' Association, who 
previously had been in the carriage 
business. This was shortly followed by 
the Mobile Company of America luider 
different managements, including Harry 
Fosdick and the writer, and then the 
Winton Company and others followed 
in quick succession until at the present 
time no less than 110 agencies and fifteen 
branch stores are located in Boston 
proper. 

So much for a general review of the 
automobile industry. Now to come to 
the real object of this article, "What 
the Auto has done for Boston." At 
first thought it may be said that in at 
least five essential ways has the motor- 
propelled vehicle added to the wealth 
or welfare of this as well as other cities. 
These, taken in order of commercial 



importance, are increased real estate 
valuation and taxes, the employment of 
skilled labor, resulting good roads and 
improvements, the reduction of local 
freight rates and increase of trade to 
city merchants, and last but not least 
the benefit to the general health of the 
community in bringing thousands into 
the open air. 

What the automobile industry and 
its allied trades are doing and have done 
for the development of Boston in the 
way of increasing the amount of property 
devoted to business and at the same time 
materially increasing its valuation, is 
strikingly illustrated at the present time 
along Boylston Street, in the vicinity 
of Copley Square up to and around 
Massachusetts Avenue, which now is 
the principal thoroughfare in the city 
occupied by the motor trade. Within 
one year upwards of $"2,500,000 has been 
invested in new buildings or in the re- 
modeling of old for this one industry. 
Four large buildings are now in the course 
of construction, and it is reported that 
three or more companies contemplate 
building within a short time. This, of 
course, only refers to one locality, 
(^olumbus Avenue and Huntington 
Avenue contain many stores, warerooms 
and garages devoted to the automobile 
or allied trades and there is also a large 
investment in buildings and shojjs, partly 
occupied, outside of the city proper. 
All these buildings have been erected 
and occupied within the past year or 
two, with the addition of many re- 
modeled buildings for automobile stores. 
Just how much this investment totals, 
it is difficult to estimate, but if all the 
real estate devoted to the automobile 
business in and around Bostt)n were 
lumjM'd, it would make an amount that 
would be surj)rising to some of the older 
trades. 

Then another direct benefit to the 
city is the tax from the owners of cars, 



457 



458 



NEW BOSTON 




BOSTON S FIRST MOTOR-PROPELLED VEHICLE 



drivers, etc., amounting to about $300,000 
annually. 

It is doubtful if any one line of busi- 
ness or trade in Boston can produce so 
many well-paid em])loyes as the auto- 
mobile industry. Skilled mechanics 
command the highest pay and many 
expert chauffeurs receive wages far 
in excess of those in similar work. In 
all there are probably over 50,000 men 
so employed in this state alone, with the 
majority in or around Boston. 

Boston has cause to be proud of her 
wonderful jmrk system and beautiful 
roads leading into the Hub. While 
these improvements cannot be laid 



car. While the i)leasure car has 
done much for the city, the 
commercial car will in the future 
do more. Not a fad, not an 
experiment, the commercial car 
has come to stay. The strides 
in the past year have been 
phenomenal and today the out- 
look is so bright that many of 
the leading manufacturers of 
])leasure cars have added the 
business truck to their output. 
In fact, to show what promi- 
nence the commercial car has 
attained, the Highway Com- 
mission has decided to register 
it separately from the pleasure 
car. Many of the j^rominent 
stores which formerly only 
delivered goods within a ten mile radius 
of Boston, by the aid of motor delivery 
trucks are now able to make deliveries 
as far as the fifty mile radius. Conse- 
quently much trade is brought into Bos- 
ton that was formerly scattered. 

It is often asked if automobiling in 
its present stage is not a craze, similar 
to the bicycle fad. But those same people 
wdio, in the old days, considered that the 
full enjoyment of the bicycle consisted in 
rolling off a century or two on every 
Sunday or holiday, now brag of their hun- 
dreds of miles an outing in their automo- 
biles. The saner time is coming, however, 
when fewer miles will be registered and 




PALMER-SINGER 1911 MODEL 



directly to the automobile, still many of 
them are partly traceable to this industry 
and the large amounts of taxes paid by 
automobile owners towards keeping the 
great highways in rejjair. 

This brings us down to the point in 
the motor-proi)elled vehicle that divides 
the pleasure car from the commercial 



more enjoyment will result;and with that 
realization will come the benefit of cheaper 
u])keep of cars and more general satis- 
faction. There is no doubt that the gen- 
eral health of thousands has been im- 
proved by the exhilaration of open-air 
riding. Prices are now so low for good, 

(Continued on fourth page of advertising) 



NEW IJOSTON 



sorviccahlc cars. IhaL llic niassos may 
become devotees as well as the rich. 

The continually increasing importance 
of the motor car, both pleasure and com- 
mercial, is again emphasized by the fact 
that the Automobile Show to l)e held in 
Mechanics liuilding Mai'ch 4 to 11 in- 
clusive, under the auspices of the Boston 
Dealers Association Inc., will overshadow 
in size and importance any other show 
held in this country. Calls for more 
space come by every mail, and at the 
present time it is seriously inconvenienc- 
ing the ingenuity of the show manage- 
ment to meet the demands. In order to 
accommodate the manufacturers of cars 
and accessories who wish to exhibit their 
wares at the automobile show, plans 
are now being made to secure an addi- 
tional hall for an overflow. If this can 
be done, satisfactorily to the late comers, 
arrangements will be made so that one 
ticket will permit entrance to the 
auxiliary hall as well as to the Mechanics 
Ikiilding. When one realizes that 
105,000 square feet of exhibit floor space 
is inadequate to meet the requirements 
of exhibitors, some idea of the magnitude 
of Boston's Automobile Show can be 
realized. Dealers in Boston and New 
England are enthusiastic over the pros- 
perous season which is now oj)ening up, 
and I predict an vniusually large sale 
of automobiles and commercial vehicles 
at the show in March. 



"U. S. MINISTER BEDLOE" 

William II. Crane began an engagement at the 
Park Theater on Monday evening, January 30, 
in a new comedy by George Ade, entitled "U. S. 
Minister Bedloe." Mr. Crane plays the title role, 
and Minister Bedloe is what Mr. Ade playfully 
describes as a "Loud Noise" in his own town — 
one of the numerous Springfields dotted over the 
United States. He is an editor and a politician 
and, as a reward for long and faithful hustling in 
the interests of his party, he gets an appointment 
as U. S. Minister to Caribay — a "Red-Pepper 
Republic somewhere to the South," whose citizens 
are either sleeping or frothing at the mouth. Shortly 
after Bedloe and his family arrive on the .scene 
they wake up and begin to froth. In other words, 
the perennial revolution breaks out in a fresh 
place. To make it all the livelier for Bedloe, a 
young American whom he wants for a son-in-law 
takes a hand in the sport and gets arrested as a 
filibuster. What's more the young fellow stands 
a mighty good chance of being shot and Bedloe 
is confronted with the problem of how to remain 
neutral as the representative of Uncle Sam and 
at the same time rescue his friend. IIow he solves 
it — that's the play. 




MRS. Fl^KI 
as "Becky Sharp" 



Dorchester Awning Company 

(INC.) 
Manufacturers of all kinds of Canvas Goods 



Awnings, Tents, Etc. 

WEDDING CANOPIES AND LARGE TENTS TO LET 
PIAZZAS FITTED UP FOR SLEEPING OUT 

1548-1558 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Mass. 



Among the Fashionable Shops 



A. L. La Vers Co. 

Telephone, Back Bay 1344 

190-192 BoylstonSl. 

32-34 Park Square 

Boston, Mass. 

Specialty Shop 

FURS, MILLINERY 

GOWNS, DRESSES 

WAISTS and COATS 







Maynard & Co. 

Incorporated 
DEALERS IN 

GOLD, SILVER AND 
PRECIOUS GEMS 

Gifts for All Occasions 
S5.00 to $500.00 

416 BOYLSTON ST. 



Established 1858 



Edw. F. Kakas & Sons 



FURS 



364 BOYLSTON STREET 



WOOD-KRUSTA 

A pi-rtVct wood-panel effect. 
Suitable for Dining Room, 
Hall, Library, Wainscoting 
and very effective in Bun- 
galows. 

WALL PAPER 

Latest foreign and domestic 
designs. 

H. C. MONROE 

DECORATOR 

29 Temple Place, Boston 



The Delft Lunch and 
Tea Room 

429 Boylston Street 

NEAR BERKELEY 

LUNCHEON 

AFTERNOON TEA 

TABLE D'HOTE DINNER 

5.30 TO 8 

FIFTY CENTS 



EXCLUSIVE MODELS 



Corsets, Waists and Neckwear 

CHANDLER'S 

CORSET 

STORE 

MRS. GEORGE CHANDLER 

12-14 Winter St., & 422 Boylston St. 



May we demonstrate to you 
the 

New Hallet & Davis 
Player- Piano? 

Plays the whole key-board 

Hallet & Davis Piano Co. 

146 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. 



Burleigh & Martin 

(Incorporated) 

CA TERERS 

Telephone, Back Bay 3940 

Berkeley Street and 

St. James Avenue 

Back Bay, Boston, Mass. 



WALSH 

Miliintv 

Correct Fashions in Even- 
ing Hats. 

New Crush Models in Fur. 

276 Boylston Street 
BOSTON 




HENRY F. MILLER & SONS 
PIANO COMPANY 

395 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON 



Lusbus 
Cbocolaites 

"The Sign of the Kind" 

The Aldrich-Clisbee Co 

21 Portland St., 
BOSTON 



BOSTON-1915 PROGRAM FOR 1911 



BO^TOTM 



'y- i w^'. 






^L'OiWa^j^' 



^rW^ 






V*. 



i UBLI^SHED BYBO^TOAI 1915 INO- 
€) BEACO/^ ST- BOv5TOAl J'^1u\vSJV%5A- 

CENTRA COPY- OM^ DOLI^AK^ A^gXAR;: 



MARCH, 1911 



NO. 11 



THE WORLD'S GREATEST 

AUTOMOBILE 
SHOW 



AUSPICES BOSTON AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION, Inc. 

Entire Mechanics Bldg. and Horticultural Hall 

(ONE TICKET ADMITS TO BOTH) 

March 4th to 11th, inclusive 

The Largest and Best Display of 

Pleasure Vehicles=Coiiiniercial Cars=Accessories 

EVER ASSEMBLED 



THE FACTS 



94 Different Makes Pleasure Cars 

127,000 Square Feet Exhibition Space 

450 Men Employed in Construction 

$27,000 Expended in Decorations 

8462 Incandescent Lamps 

— 400 EXHIBITS — 



37 Different Makes Commercial Cars 
19,000 Yards "muL'' Floor Covering 

2840 Salesmen and Attendants 
$5,000,000.00 Property Represented 

680 Arc Lamps 
4 ORCHESTRAS 4 



Cafe in Connection 



SPECIAL DAYS 

Tuesday, Mar. 7th, Military Night 
Wednesday, Mar. 8th, Society Day 
Thursday, Mar. 9th, Commercial Car Day 



at 8 

p. M. 



Opens Saturday 

Thereafter 10 A. M. to 10.30 P. M. 
ADMISSION 50c. 
AdmissionWed., Mar. 8...$1.00 



DIRECTION CHESTER I. CAMPBELL 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



MARCH, 1911 



No. 11 



CONTENTS 



FROM THE STATE HOUSE, LOOKING OUT THE " MILL DAM," NOW BEACON STREET. 

IN 1858 , Frontis 

NOTE AND COMMENT 461 

BOSTON-1915 PROGRAM FOR 1911 461 

1911 PROGRAM 461 

CHARITIES CONFERENCES PROPOSE CIVIC BUILDING 462 

CIVIC AUDITORIUM AND CIVIC BUILDING 462 

ANNUAL MEETING OF CIVIC CONFERENCE 462 

CONVENIENCE STATIONS AND DRINKING FOUNTAINS 463 

HEALTH CONFERENCE DISCUSSES MEDICAL INSPECTION 463 

EDUCATION CONFERENCE 463 

TO INVESTIGATE MOVING PICTURE SHOWS 463 

THE BILLBOARD NUISANCE 464 

THIS MONTH'S NEW BOSTON 464 

PUBLIC SPIRIT AND THE TRAMP 464 

THE CO-OPERATIVE INFORMATION BUREAU 465 

THE CHAMBER'S EUROPEAN TOUR 466 

NEW FIELD FOR DR. COPP 466 

LEGISLATION WHICH BOSTON-1915 WANTS 467 

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY.. Dr. Henry O. Marcy 471 

DOES CITY PLANNING PAY? John Nolen 480 

BRINGING THE WIFE DESERTER TO TERMS C. C. Carstens 482 

MAKING WIFE DESERTION UNPOPULAR William H. De Lacy 484 

A GOOD CITIZENS' FACTORY Rev. R. J. Floody, D. D 486 

SCHOOLHOUSES AS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS Fannie Fern Andrews 490 

DISCOVERING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL Edward J. Ward 493 

TACOMA'S HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM Frederick W. Heath 494 

SYLLABUS OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTION CONFERENCE 497 



PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 



Mr.s. Fannie Fern Andrews, Civic Conference 
Arthur Burnham, Fine and Industrial Arts Con- 
ference 
Dr. Richard C. Cabot, Health Conference 
John H. Fahey, Charter member 
George B. Gallup, Contributing Member 
Irving T. Guild, City Plan Conference 
Mrs. Emma S. Gulliver, Education Conference 
Solomon Lewenberg, Contributing Member 
William E. Litchfield, Business Conference 
Frank S. Mason, Youth Conference 



WilliamH. O'Brien, Industrial RelationsConfercnce 
Miss Mary Boyle O'Reilly, Charities and Cor- 
rection Conference 
William H. Pear, Charities and Correction Con- 
ference 
George E. Roewer, Railroad Brotherhoods 
Leonard J. Ross, Industrial Relations Conference 
Mrs. John B. Suckling, Youth Conference 
Mrs. May Alden Ward, Women's Clubs 
Miss Mary C. Wiggin, Co-operative Conference 
Myron E. Pierce 



Entered as second-class matter at the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Advertising Manager 



6a 



^±;W BUbTU^ 




BAR HARBOR, MAINE 
LYNAM HOUSE s..X^.^^ 

FOR THE SEASON. N. Y. OFFICE 111 E. .j9TH 
STREET, NEW YORK, N. Y. 

G. M. E. LIND, Prop 



CUPOLAR HOUSE 

LAKE WARREN 

NEW HAMPSH I RE 
Beautifully Located. Terms Moderate. 

Address 

MRS. NETTIE M. MESSER 

EAST ALSTEAD, N. H. 



TO RENT 

For the Summer Season of 1911 

Beautiful 
New Hampshire Farm 

Overlooking Green Mountains 

and beautiful Lake Warren. 

Scenery Unequalled. 

For Terms Address 

MISS C. L. PARTRIDGE 

126 Harvard Street Brookline, Mass. 



lincoln^s Island 
Camp 

LAKE WINNEPESAUKEE, 
MOULTONBORO, N. H. 



WRITE FOR BOOK- 
LET AT ONCE. 
ACCOM MOD AT ION S 
LIMITED. 



•Address- 



Edward C. Lincoln, 

136 Huntington Ave., 
Boston, - - - Mass. 



Outdoors in New England 



"But when the voice of Nature speaks to me 
From all her hills, and all her beauteous 

woods, 
Bidding my heart rejoice, and when I see 
The grandeur of her ever-varying moods, 
The trees uplifting mighty arms of green, — 
The clouds that float, lace-like across the blue; 
The softly flowing river, and the sheen 
Of flowers in every beauteous form and hue; 
Or when the voice of thunder rolls along, 
Reverberating 'mongst the ancient hills — 
And lightning lances dart the clouds among, 
My soul forgets its petty cares and ills." — 
— Mary Cosier. 



New Boston 



MARCH, 1911 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



BOSTON-1915 PROGRAM FOR 1911 



AFTER a year of organization and 
investigation, the conferences of 
I. Boston-1915 have staked out a 
program for accomplishment in 1911. 
The development of this program has 
meant weeks and months of study by 
the various conferences and their execu- 
tive committees, by the executive com- 
mittee of Boston-1915 and by the 1915 
directorate. In itself and as a program 
we believe that it is comprehensive and 
that it represents some of the greatest 
needs as worked out by those par- 
ticular groups of experts that have 
been active in its preparation. If it 
is to become more than a program, if 
Boston is to realize on this civic in- 
vestment, every organization in Boston- 
1915 must help us get down to business 
and push through these plans for a 
better city in 1911. There is no reason 
to doubt that such accomplishments 
can be secured; for the interest in the 
conference was never so strong as now. 
These groups have long since proved 
their worth as clearing houses of infor- 
mation. The conference syllabi, show- 
ing the civic and social needs of the city, 
are examples of what can be brought 
about through co-operative study and 
investigation. But now the preliminary 
stages of study and investigation have 
passed, a definite program of work is 
laid out, and Boston-1915 and its affilia- 
ted organizations have their first big 
opportunity of showing the real value 
of their organization. That opportunity 
is open to every one of the 1200 allied 



organizations that has registered its 
belief in the movement by identifying 
itself with a conference group. The 
success of the year's work depends upon 
the active interest of these organiza- 
tions, working through Boston-1915. 

The following program gives in brief 
outline the projects which the conferences 
have thus far named, and which the 
directors of Boston-1915 have accepted, 
for accomplishment in 1911. Although 
not final, for a few other items may be 
added later, the programme as it stands 
involves plenty of work that it is worth 
while to do. A pamphlet has been 
printed explaining each proposition more 
in detail. These pamphlets are being 
mailed to every conference member and 
every subscriber to NEW BOSTON. 



1911 Program 

Establish a proper public authority to plan 
and provide for the comprehensive develop- 
ment of the city. (Initiated by the Chamber 
of Commerce, the City Planning Conference 
and the Housing Committee of Hoston- 
1915.) The City Plan Syllabus of the 
Boston-1915 City Planning Conference was 
published in the February number of New 
Boston. In connection with the syllabus, 
Arthur A. Shurtlcfi", chairman of the con- 
ferences, contributed an article entitled 
"Planning for the Metropolitan District." 
In the current number of New Boston an 
article by John Nolen entitled "Does City 
Planning Pay?" is of special interest in con- 
nection with this first proposition of the 
1911 program. 

Federate the cities and towns of the Metropoli- 
tan district. (Initiated by the Chamber of 
Commerce.) House Bill 715, providing for 



461 



462 



NEW BOSTON 



the creation of a federation of Metropolitan 
Boston, is outlined in the article "Legislation 
Which Boston-1915 Wants," appearing in 
this issue of New Boston. 

3. Organize a larger use of schoolhouses. (Initi- 

ated by the Boston Home and School 
Association and the Women's Municipal 
League.) Two articles in this issue are on 
this subject — one by Mrs. Fannie Fern 
Andrews, secretary of the Boston Home and 
School Association, and another by Edward 
J. Ward, the founder of the Rochester 
social centers. 

4. Secure a larger and better use of playgrounds 

and other recreational facilities. (Initiated 
by the Youth Conference of Boston-1915.) 

5. Create a central civic building. (Initiated by 

the Charities and Correction Conference of 
Boston-1915.) This proposition of the 
Charities and Correction Conference is 
outlined briefly on page 462 of this issue of 
New Boston. 

6. Establish more convenience stations and drink- 

ing fountains. (Initiated by the United 
Improvement Association and Neighbor- 
hood Work Conference, Boston-1915.) The 
suggestions of the Neighborhood Conference 
for the establishment of convenience stations 
and drinking fountains may be found on 
page 463 of the current issue of New Boston. 
The provisions of House bill No. 1327, call- 
ing for the construction of more convenience 
stations, appears on page 470. 

7. Investigate the part-time schooling problem. 

(Initiated by the Child Welfare Committee.) 

8. Create a central library for teachers. (Initi- 

ated by the Education Conference, Boston- 
1915.) 

9. Secure laws for enforcing parental responsi- 

bility. (Initiated by the Charities and 
Correction Conference, Boston-1915.) The 
articles by Mr. Carstens and Judge DeLacy 
on other pages of this number of New Boston 
are based on this proposition of the Charities 
and Correction Conference. The bill now 
before the Legislature in Massachusetts, to 
make more strict the non-support law, is 
summarized on page 468. 

10. Make definite provision for better sidewalks. 

(Initiated by the United Improvement 
Association.) See outline of House Bill 
No. 563 on page 469 of this issue. 

11. Secure a prompt return of births. (Initiated 

by the Health Conference, Boston-1915.) 
A bill to bring about an effective system of 
birth returns is summarized on page 470 of 
this number of New Boston. In the Oc- 
tober issue of the magazine. Dr. Richard 
C. Cabot contributed an article on "Prompt 
Birth Returns, the Prime Need and Founda- 
tion of Public Health Work." 

12. Secure more practical examinations for licenses 

to practice medicine. (Initiated by the 
Health Conference, Boston-1915.) Dr. 
Richard C. Cabot is the author of an article 
on the "Need for More Practical Medical 
Examinations," appearing in the February 
number of New Boston. 

13. Extend free art exhibitions. (Initiated by the 

Fine and Industrial Arts Conference, Boston- 
1915.) 



Charities Conference Proposes 
Civic Building 

The Charities and Correction Confer- 
ence of Boston-1915 has voted that the 
securing of a Civic Building shall be the 
general "long time" subject for which it 
shall work with 1915 as a goal of achieve- 
ment. Such a building would house the 
numerous charitable, social and civic 
agencies in Boston which are now scat- 
tered over the city. The practical advan- 
tages of such a building are well illus- 
trated in the United Charities Building in 
New York where many similar activities 
are located to the great advantage of each. 
This proposition of the Charities and 
Correction Conference is included in the 
1911 program of Boston-1915. 

Civic Auditorium and Civic 
Building 

The Fine and Industrial Arts Con- 
ference has named as a great need in its 
field a civic auditorium that would offer 
adequate accommodations to the nu- 
merous conventions, expositions and con- 
ferences that come to Boston. These 
two propositions — a civic building and 
a civic auditorium — present so many 
points in common that the two con- 
ferences are working on a joint plan. 
At present the Fine and Industrial Arts 
Conference is making further inquiries 
as to the need of an auditorium in Boston. 

Annual Meeting of Civic 
Conference 

Prof. W. B. Munro of Harvard Uni- 
versity has been elected chairman of 
the Civic Conference in place of W. S. 
Appleton, resigned. The annual con- 
ference meeting was held on February 
20. Among the year's accomplishments 
are the inauguration of a saner Fourth 
for Boston, a study of the status of the 
alien element in the Boston elementary 
day schools, the establishing of a Re- 
search Bureau, which is now engaged in 
gathering information regarding research 
work in and around Boston and nu- 
merous conferences on timely subjects. 
At present the conference is drawing 
up a syllabus of the civic needs of 
Boston. 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



463 



Convenience Stations and Drink- 
ing Fountains 

The directors and executive committee 
of the Neighborhood Conference met on 
February 17 and reported on the subject 
of pubhc convenience stations and drink- 
ing fountains — topics which that con- 
ference has chosen for particular atten- 
tion in 1911. The United Improvement 
Association has already made a thorough 
study of the need for more convenience 
stations and the Neighborhood Con- 
ference will co-operate with that associa- 
tion in pushing plans for the adoption of 
additional stations. The executive com- 
mittee of the conference voted that a 
recommendation be sent to the City 
Council to the effect that as much 
money as may be needed for the purpose 
be appropriated from the Parkman Fund 
to establish drinking fountains and con- 
venience stations wherever they are 
needed in the small parks of the city. 

The committee approves the estab- 
lishment of convenience stations and 
drinking fountains at the following 
points : 

North End: Haymarket Square and 
North Square. West End: Bowdoin 
Square and near West Boston Bridge, 
at the corner of Cambridge and Charles 
streets. 

The committee further suggests con- 
struction at these points in the South 
End: 

Castle Square; Dover Street and 
Washington Street (in yard of ward 
room); Northampton Street and Wash- 
ington Street or near there ; and Roxbury 
Crossing. 

It makes no recommendations regard- 
ing outlying districts, as the business 
districts are of primary importance. 

Health Conference Discusses 
Medical Inspection 

Boston's system of medical inspection 
of school children was the subject of a 
Health Conference meeting in the Twen- 
tieth Century Club on February 20. 
Dr. Silas Hibbard Ayer, former chief 
medical inspector of the city, credited 
the Boston Board of Health with estab- 
lishing the first system of medical 
inspection under Dr. Samuel H. Durgin. 
He stated, however, that there had been 



little improvement in the methods of 
inspection during the sixteen years since 
the work was started and that Boston 
had already fallen behind a score of 
cities. Dr. Ayer believes that medical 
inspectors should be appointed through 
civil service, that salaries of inspectors 
should be raised and that school nurses 
and medical examiners should be under 
the supervision of the Health Depart- 
ment. At present the School Com- 
mittee has charge of the school nurses. 
Increased efficiency would result, he 
thinks, by a re-organization of the 
Board of Health and by making it a 
permanent body not governed by ad- 
ministration changes. Other speakers 
who discussed the inspection system 
were: Dr. William B. Coues, a school 
medical inspector; Dr. Horace E. Marion; 
Dr. Cleveland Floyd, and Dr. Durgin, 
chairman of the Board of Health. 
( Dr. Durgin stated that an additional 
appropriation is to be granted to the 
Board of Health which will result in more 
adequate medical inspection. Through 
this appropriation he said that it would be 
possible, in addition to the present work, 
to make thorough, individual examina- 
tions of all the pupils in Boston. The 
salaries of medical inspectors will be 
raised from $200 to $500 a year. 

Education Conference 

At a meeting of the directors and 
executive committee of the Education 
Conference, it was voted that in the 
opinion of the conference "the School 
Committee shall be so far as possible 
the final authority in the disposition of 
the funds of city schools." A meeting 
of the Education Conference was held 
on February 24 at 4 P. M., to discuss 
"Some Provisions for the Children not 
Adapted to the Present High Schools." 
A report of the meeting will appear in 
the April number of NEW BOSTON. 

To Investigate Moving Picture 
Shows 

At a meeting of the directors and execu- 
tive committee of the Youth Conference 
held on February 16, it was voted that 
a committee on the licensing of moving 
picture shows "visit at least a dozen such 
places and report upon the conditions 



464 



NEW BOSTON 



observed there, especially with reference 
to light, order, character of pictures, 
attendance of children under sixteen 
unaccompanied, and loitering of men 
around the entrances." 

Experiments recently made seem to 
show that moving pictures can be ex- 
hibited satisfactorily in a comparatively 
well-lighted room. 

The Billboard Nuisance 
If a neighbor offends my ear with 
revelling, drumbeating or even too much 
graphophone, I have recourse to law. 
If he offends my nose with rotting 
garbage or other noisome things, I can 
hale him into court. But if he offends 
my eye and shuts off my view by erecting 
a large billboard glaringly setting forth 
the virtues of some quack medicine, I 
must grin and bear it, though an offensive 
noise or smell must, in the very nature 
of things be transitory, while a billboard, if 
from the advertiser's standpoint well 
placed, is an increasing offence. 

This Month's New Boston 

The 1911 program of Boston-1915 is 
closely linked with a number of bills 
now before the Legislature. The bills 
are described briefly on another page in 
the article "Legislation Which Boston- 
1915 Wants." Among the measures 
outlined is House Bill No. 1109, calling 
for the creation of a coinmission to con- 
sider the general question of compre- 
hensive city planning, the lack of which, 
to quote from Mr. Nolen's article, 
causes "almost incalculable waste due 
to haphazard, unskillful and short-sighted 
procedure." In connection with Mr. 
Nolen's description of what a metro- 
politan city plan would mean in dollars 
and cents saved, it is interesting to turn 
to Dr. Marcy's story of the development 
of the Charles River Estuary and see 
what Boston has actually accomplished 
in the way of great public improvements. 
If much has been done in this hit-or-miss 
fashion, how much more could be brought 
about through a carefully worked out 
program, similar to that drawn up by 
the City Planning Conference. 

The non-support law which went into 
effect in Washington, D. C, in 1906, 
turned $23,584.40 into the district treas- 
ury in the first seven months of the last 



fiscal year. This money was collected 
by the Juvenile Court from men under 
suspended sentences and prisoners in the 
workhouse. A bill before the legis- 
lature aims to revise the non-support 
law in Massachusetts and force the de- 
serting husband to contribute to the 
expenses of his dependent family. Mr. 
Carstens tells of Massachusetts' failure 
to bring the wife deserter to terms. 
This work of enforcing parental responsi- 
bility has been taken up by the Charities 
and Correction Conference of Boston- 
1915 and is a part of the 1911 program. 

The article by Mr. DeBruyn in the 
February number of NEW BOSTON 
told about the work of the Boston Home 
and School Association in bringing par- 
ents into closer relation to neighborhood 
problems through schoolhouse meetings. 
The further use of school buildings has 
been named by the directorate of Boston- 
1915 as of primary importance and con- 
stitues a portion of the 1911 program. 
The articles by Mrs. Andrews and Mr. 
Ward in this number tell what is being 
done in Boston to make the school- 
houses of real service to adults and what 
a "social center" means in community 
life. 

The description of Tacoma's High 
School Stadium is of particular interest 
because of the suggested plans for a 
similar structure for the high schools of 
this city. Preliminary plans have been 
drawn up for a Boston stadium at the 
request of Mayor Fitzgerald, and a 
special committee of the Youth Con- 
ference of Boston-1915 has endorsed 
the idea. Members of the Youth Con- 
ference will be especially interested in 
Dr. Floody's description of the Worcester 
Garden Cities which have proved so 
successful as "citizen factories." 

PubKc Spirit and the Tramp 

The state of Massachusetts has during 
the past half-dozen years been putting 
into effect, with unique success, a series 
of laws designed to hamper the move- 
ment of tramps through the state. The 
cardinal point in this legislation is the 
requirement laid upon every town which 
provides any sort of public shelter for 
wayfarers that it shall also provide a 
work test. The news of the provision 
of this work test soon passes from house- 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



4G5 



hold to household in each town, leading 
the people of the town to cease giving to 
beggars and to refer them to the head- 
quarters for wayfarers provided by the 
towns. As this system now covers all 
the groups of populous towns in the state, 
it is next to impossible for the tramp to 
get through or around these blocks of 
towns without work. The result is 
that the tramp does not come in that 
direction. 

Unfortunately, the marked decrease 
in the number of tramps in the state 
at large has not yet come about in Boston. 
One reason for this has been that in the 
past the Wayfarers' Lodge, maintained 
by the city, has not been open to way- 
farers on sufficiently generous terms to 
satisfy the good-hearted citizen. Under 
present arrangements, however, the 
same man can be taken in at the Lodge 
night after night for a reasonable period 
and given his lodging and breakfast on 
condition of doing a certain amount of 
work in the morning. This work in no 
way prevents him from finding other 
work during the day as he is discharged 
early, if need be, and his stay at the 
Wayfarers' Lodge is determined largely 
by the energy which he shows in looking 
for work. 

The chief reason, however, for the 
failure of Boston in this matter, is in 
the fact that the co-operation of citizens 
which is secured in the towns through 
the avenues of gossip, cannot be brought 
about in that way for a large city. An 
organized and persistent plan of publicity 
is required, and such a plan is being 
devised by the joint board connected 
with the Associated Charities and the 
Boston Provident Society. When this 
publicity undertaking is fully worked 
out, the fact will be brought to the atten- 
tion of every person in Boston that the 
city provides a suitable shelter with 
food, subject to a' reasonable amount of 
labor, to which every homeless man 
asking aid on the street or at the door 
of one's home should in all cases be sent. 
As soon as the average, well-intentioned 
citizen can be brought to see that the 
thoughtless handing out of a nickel or 
a dime, or of food, to the unknown 
wandering mendicant, isj simply doing 
so much to rivet down upon the city 
the physical and moral curse and danger 



of tlie tramp — so soon the number of 
tramps will be reduced to a minimum. 

This does not mean, of course, that 
the cause of vagrancy will be reached 
and eliminated. It does mean that the 
roving pauper can be abolished, — so 
that only the resident pauper will be 
left, and he remains where the com- 
munity can put its finger on him. 

An important feature of this proposed 
system is that it is just and considerate 
to the wayfarer who is honestly seeking 
work. It gives him the opportunity 
of shelter and food without being forced 
to begging. 

* The Co-operative Information 
Bureau 

In the February issue of NEW BOSTON 
appeared a description of the Co-opera- 
tive Information Bureau, a local enter- 
prise conducted by the Special Libraries 
Association in conjunction with Boston- 
1915. Briefly, the purpose of the bureau 
is the registration (through the Boston- 
1915 office) of topics upon which various 
individuals, business houses, libraries, etc., 
stand ready to furnish information, sug- 
gest ways of getting at sources, and, in 
some instances, to loan literature. 

.The article in the February number 
of New Boston contained a list of 
topics on which information was avail- 
able, together with the names of those 
volunteering to supply literature. Since 
that time the following additions have 
been made to that list: 

Alcohol, see also Liquor; Books old and rare, 65; 
Capital, add 63; Chambers of commerce reports, 
add 56; Efficiency engineering, add 63; Electroplat- 
ing (sponsors wanted); Engineering, see also Elec- 
trical; Industrial; Mechanical; Production; etc.; 
Industrial engineering, 63; statistics, add 63; Labor, 
add 63; Liquor problem, add 67; Money market, 66; 
Money and banking, see Banking; Plumbing en- 
gineering, 6!^; Production engineering, (iS; Statistics, 
see also Industrial; Typewriting, see Volunteers; 
Volunteers (typewriting, etc.) -il; Wage systems, 
add 63. 

W. C. Brackett, (Sanitas Mfg. Co.), 54 Union 
St. Richmond idl; Gunn, Richards & Co. (J. N. 
Gunn), State Mutual Bldg., Haymarket 191; 
Havana Line (E. II. Downing, Traffic Mgr.), 
2£1 Board of Trade Bldg., E. H. ^2390; C. E. Libbie 
& Co., 597 Washington St., Oxford -20-Z6; Erederic 
J. Whiting, 117 Milk St., Main 1660; Scientific 
Temperance Eederation (C. F. Stoddard, Sec), 
23 Trull St. 

There is to be a general meeting of 
the participants in the Co-operative 



466 



NEW BOSTON 



Information Bureau on Wednesday, 
March 8, at 4 P.M., Room 320, Tremont 
Building. A report of progress will be 
made and plans for the future considered. 
All who may be interested are invited 
to attend. 

In its present form this bureau is not 
organized primarily to supply such 
miscellaneous questions as come to the 
information bureau of a world's fair, 
but we are glad to quote from the 
Bulletin of the Boston Young Men's 
Christian Union, February 1, 1911, the 
scope of the inquiries for which that 
organization stands sponsor: 

Get in Touch with Things 

Inquire at the desk for all sorts of information. 

Are you in search of a lodging-room.'' 

What time does your next train go? 

Who is the president of the Chamber of Com- 
merce.'' 

Who are the senators from Massachusetts? 

When does the next mail leave for Portland, 
Maine? 

What is going on tonight? 

All the above and hundreds of other questions 
gladly answered at the desk. 

The Chamber's European Tour 

The Boston Chamber of Commerce 
has outlined the preliminary program 
of a European touring party for the 
summer of 1911, to be composed of 
members of commercial and industrial 
associations, national, state, country, 
and municipal officials and experts in 
commercial, industrial and civic affairs, 
together with members of their families. 
A trip of about sixty days is planned. 



which will comprise visits to London, 
Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, and 
possibly other cities, including excursions 
en route and in the neighborhood of the 
principal stopping places. The plan 
is to organize a representative delega- 
tion similar in its purposes to the foreign 
delegations which have recently visited 
this country. The Chamber of Commerce 
News of February 13 contains a list of 
the cities which may be included in the 
tour. A trip of the kind planned would 
be of immense value to persons wishing 
to secure a broad knowledge of industrial, 
civic and social conditions in European 
cities. 

New Field for Dr. Copp 

Dr. Owen Copp, for the past twelve 
years executive officer of the Massa- 
chusetts State Board of Insanity, has 
resigned to take charge of the Pennsyl- 
vania Hospital for the Insane at Phila- 
delphia. Dr, Copp has been a leader 
in the preventive treatment of feeble- 
minded and defective children. Ten 
years ago there was accommodation 
in Massachusetts for about 800 feeble- 
minded and epileptic patients. At 
present the state at Waverley, Wrentham 
and the State Hospital for Epileptics 
has accommodations for 2,650. 

The Pennsylvania Hospital for the 
Insane was chartered in 1751. It cares 
for 450 patients. 

Dr. Copp was graduated from Dart- 
mouth in 1881 and from Harvard Medical 
School in 1884. 



For generations the schoolhouses have been monuments oj neglected opportimity. 
The policy of closing them to the people outside of regidar school hours has retarded 
the development of that higher type of citizenship which makes for better government. 
It matters not where it is located, whether in a congested city district, or in a hamlet, 
or on a prairie among scattered farmhouses, a public school building is a potential 
center of civic activity, a potential neighborhood civic club house. — Henry C. Camp- 
bell, Mihvaukee. 



'LEGISLATION WHICH BOSTON-1915 

WANTS 

A SUMMARY OF THE BILLS THAT THE DIRECTORS 
OF BOSTON-1915 HAVE VOTED TO SUPPORT 



IN spite of the fact that the Great 
and General Court of Massachusetts 
meets every year, while the legisla- 
tures of almost all the other States con- 
vene only biennially, there are brought 
before it, on an average, some two thou- 
sand bills each session. By long-estab- 
lished custom, moreover, every one of 
these bills, no matter how freakish, re- 
ceives patient consideration. However 
zealous and painstaking a Massachusetts 
senator or representative may be, it 
is evident that he can familiarize himself 
with the merits of only a very small 
proportion of this huge grist of bills. 
Consequently legislators are driven to 
measure all bills, excepting the few with 
which they are most closely concerned, 
not upon their merits, but by the charac- 
ter and extent of the backing which 
they receive. It is of the highest conse- 
quence, therefore, that really important 
legislation should receive the active 
endorsement of a large body of substantial 
citizens. 

Fifteen bills have been selected, out 
of the many hundreds at the State House, 
for special backing by Boston-1915, an 
organization made up, as is well known, 
of more than twelve hundred bodies 
meeting in conference and represented 
in a central directorate officially em- 
powered to speak for the constituent 
organizations. Each of these fifteen 
measures has had careful consideration 
by at least one of the thirteen confer- 
ences of Boston-1915, and then of the 
directorate, or of the executive committee 
of the directors. Consequently all the 
bills have been considered from the many 
points of view of those who constitute 
Boston-1915. 

In having the formal support, there- 
fore, of Boston-1915, the following meas- 
ures possess the backing of a great 
proportion of those fifteen hundred 
organizations in and around Boston 



which are working in one way or another 
to make Boston a greater, finer and in 
every way a better city: 





Hearing before 


Date of Room 


Bill No 


1. committee 


hearing 


No. 


Senate 


154 Education 




441 


" 


176 Legal Affairs 


(Hearings closed) 


249 


" 


197 Metropolitan Affairs 


240 


House 


118 Education 


(Hearings closed) 


441 


" 


420 Public Utilities 




446 


" 


444 Cities 


(Hearings closed) 


240 


" 


454 Education 


(Hearings closed) 


441 


" 


472 Labor 


March 1—10.30 


426 


" 


473 Legal Affairs 


(Hearings closed) 




" 


563 Cities 


March 7—10.30 


240 


" 


666 Legal Affairs 


(Hearings closed 


249 


" 


715 Metropolitan Affairs 


240 


" 


1109 


" 


240 


" 


1327 Public Health 


March 16—10.30 


436 


" 


1331 




436 



f A [resume of each of the bills follows, 
and it is hoped that every reader of 
New Boston not only will study the 
bill itself but will also make every effort 
to impress upon his representatives at 
the State House, either by appearing 
at the hearing or by direct communica- 
tion with his senator or house member, 
the importance to the community of 
these measures. 



Senate No. 154: To Authorize School 
Committees to Establish Self-sujp'porting 
Evening Classes. Empowers school com- 
mittees to organize self-supporting even- 
ing classes in subjects not already re- 
quired to be taught in the free evening 
schools, and to levy tuition not to exceed 
the cost of instruction and supplies. 
School committees are further empowered 
to require of all students in free classes, 
not bound by law to attend, an advance 
payment to cover the term cost of books 
and supplies. The receipts from such 
tuition may be turned into the town 
treasurer or at the end of the term may 
be given back to those students whose 
attendance, demeanor, and use of sup- 
plies justify the expense. 



467 



468 



NEW BOSTON 



Senate No. 176; That Advertising 
Signs may be Abated as a Public Nui- 
sance. Empowers any city or town to 
regulate outdoor advertising signs by 
such ordinances as it may judge most 
conducive to the "safety, health, peace, 
order, morals, comfort, and general 
welfare of its inhabitants." The term 
"sign" is given a liberal interpretation 
and includes billboard advertising, signs 
on buildings, fences, trees, rocks, etc. 
For violation of the act penalties may 
be fixed and recovered as already pro- 
vided under existing laws. 



Senate No. 197; Relative to the Number 
of Police Officers which may be Detailed 
by the Police Commissioner of the City 
of Boston for Service under the Direc- 
tion of the Board of Health of Said City. 

Introduced by Mayor Fitzgerald at 
the request of the Boston Board of Health 
and of the Housing Committee of Boston- 
1915. It provides for an increase from 
five to ten of the number of police officers 
who "shall upon requisition by the Board 
of Health be detailed to the exclusive 
service and direction of said Board for 
enforcing the laws and ordinances re- 
lating to the conservation of health and 
to tenement and lodging houses." It 
is obvious that five such officers are 
quite insufficient to carry out the work 
of the Board of Health in enforcing 
existing ordinances. 



House No. 118; To Enable Cities and 
Towns to Establish Art Commissions. 
This bill empowers any city or town 
which has not already a charter provi- 
sion to that effect, to establish an art 
commission which shall approve the 
designs for any municipal structure or 
any work of art or object of utility, which 
is to be located on the public ways or 
lands, except the cemeteries, and any 
ornament or decoration which is to be 
placed in any public or municipal build- 
ing. 

House 473; To Make Desertion of 
Wife or Minor Children a Crime. This 
bill is in furtherance of the work of the 
Charities and Correction Conference of 
Boston-1915 to bring about a more 
rigid enforcement of parental responsi- 
bility. It provides that whoever deserts 



his wife or minor child by going into 
another state shall be liable to fine 
or imprisonment. Such fines shall be 
paid to the probation officer to be 
used for the support of the wife 
and minor child or children. If placed 
upon probation, the court may require 
that he shall pay to the probation officer 
certain sums to be used in the same way. 
If confined in any jail or reformatory 
on account of sentence under this law, 
the superintendent of the jail or reforma- 
tory shall pay to the family a sum equal 
to fifty cents for each day's hard labor. 
Such a law is in effect in the District 
of Columbia, with excellent results, as 
shown elsewhere in NEW BOSTON. 



House No. 420; Provides for a Com- 
mission to Investigate the Laws Relative 
to Public Service Corporations. This 
bill, put in by the United Improvement 
Association, calls for the appointment of 
an unpaid commission of five to investi- 
gate the laws of other states and countries 
relative to public-service corporations 
and especially to report upon the ad- 
visability of reorganizing present state 
boards and commissions. The com- 
mission is to report by January 1, 1912. 
It may expend $15,000 for clerical and 
expert assistance and may summon 
witnesses. 

Since there are widely divergent 
opinions as to the effectiveness of exist- 
ing commissions in other states it is for 
the best interests of Massachusetts that 
accurate information and expert advice 
be obtained before creating a similar 
agency in the Commonwealth. 



House No. 444; Relative to Tenement 
Houses in the City of Boston. This bill 
was also introduced by Mayor Fitzgerald 
at the request of the Board of Health 
and the Housing Committee of Boston- 
1915. It revises the definition of a tene- 
ment house so that the term shall apply 
to three-family buildings. As the law 
now stands a building must house four 
families in order to be classed as a tene- 
ment. Since most of the new structures 
of a tenement character being erected 
in Boston are of the three-family type, 
it is vital that they should be brought 
within the existing tenement house law. 
As the matter now stands there is no 



LEGISLATION WHICH BOSTON-1915 WANTS 



469 



&dequate inspection of the so-called 
**three-deckers." 

House No. 454; To Provide Jordan 
Investigation into the Needs and Pos- 
sibilities of Part Time Schooling for 
Working Children. Introduced by the 
Massachusetts Child Welfare Committee, 
and provides that the Board of Educa- 
tion be authorized and directed to make 
an investigation into the needs and 
possibilities of part time schooling, voca- 
tional and otherwise for working children 
between the ages of fourteen and seven- 
teen years. The board is empowered 
to employ such agents as may be neces- 
sary and must report to the General 
Court of 1912, Such an investigation 
js fundamental to the industrial and 
educational welfare of the state. 



House No. 472; Relative to Eni'ploy- 
ment in the Night Messenger Service. 
Provides that no person under the age 
of twenty-one years shall be permitted 
to work as a messenger before five 
o'clock in the morning or after ten o'clock 
in the evening. Such a law is already 
in force in New York. In the January 
number of NEW BOSTON R. K. Conant, 
secretary of the Massachusetts Child 
Labor Committee and author of the bill, 
points out "that the service is used to 
its greatest extent by prostitutes, 
gamblers, illicit saloons, places of assigna- 
tion, hotels of shady reputations, and 
drug stores with doubtful reputation, 
and the pity of the situation lies in the 
attractiveness of the work in the eyes 
of the boy. The physical havoc wrought 
by the unnatural hours of work, irregular 
hours of sleep, lack of health recreation, 
the character and irregularity of the 
)meals and exposure to all kinds of 
\weather is equalled by the wrecking of 
ithe mental faculties and the industrial 
tdestruction of the worker. Industrially 
ithe work leads to the grave of the dis- 
isolute unemployable." 



House No. 563; Providing for the 
iBuHding of Ten Miles of Granolithic, 
'Concrete or Brick Sideivalk Every Year 
Jor tJie Next Ten Years in the City of 
Boston. Filed by the United Improve- 
iment Association. Under this bill the 
^superintendent of streets is each year 



to select ten miles of streets upon which 
sidewalks shall be constructed. Side- 
walks shall be paid for, fifty per cent 
by the city and fifty per cent by the 
abutter, the latter having ten years 
in which to pay his share. In this way 
the cost does not become a burden to 
even the poorest property holder. 

The bill was drawn by the Committee 
on Streets of the United Improvement 
Association after nearly a year's study 
of methods of sidewalk construction in 
the biggest American cities — in every 
one of which the abutter pays the total 
cost of sidewalk construction. 



House No. 666; Relative to Prompt 
Birth Returns. Such returns, as stated 
by Dr. Richard C. Cabot, the author 
of the bill, are "the prime need and 
foundation of public health work." At 
present, births may be reported in 
Massachusetts as late as six weeks after 
their occurrence. Dr. Cabot says in 
New Boston for October: "The pre- 
cious days for public health work are 
the first two or three after the child's 
birth. It is by getting in touch with the 
family at that time that health officers 
and private agencies can accomplish 
results in preventing infant mortality 
and loss of sight." 

By this bill physicians and midwives 
must, under penalty, report births with- 
in forty-eight hours in cities, and within 
five days in towns. The person signing 
the certificate personally must also state 
whether or not he attended the birth 
and whether or not he used a prophylactic 
for the prevention of infantile blindness. 

Experience with a thirty-six hour 
birth return law in New York state 
shows that prompt birth returns mean 
fuller birth returns. It will accordingly 
be possible in more instances than at 
present to prevent children under four- 
teen from working in factories. The 
statement as to whether the person 
signing the birth certificate personally 
attended the birth will throw much 
light on the midwife problem. The 
question as to a preventive for ophthalmia 
neonatorum will bring this precaution 
to the attention of physicians. The 
prompt birth returns will make it possible 
to give mothers instructions as to the 
care of their children earlier than at 



470 



NEW BOSTON 



present, and will insure warnings of the 
danger of ophthahnia neonatoruvi reach- 
ing the parents in time to prevent blind- 



House No. 715; To Create a Federa- 
tion of Metropolitan Boston and an Ad- 
visory Representative Council therefor. 
Provides for a metropolitan council 
consisting of the mayors of the cities 
and the chairmen of the boards of select- 
ment of the towns of the Metropolitan 
District, who shall serve without com- 
pensation. All legislative matters affect- 
ing the cities and towns of this district 
shall be considered and a report of the 
decision of the council sent to the General 
Court. Each city and town shall have 
one vote except that in passing upon 
proposed legislation only those munici- 
palities which have a financial interest 
in a question shall be entitled to vote. 

It is believed that this loose federa- 
tion of the cities and towns of the metro- 
politan district will result in a better 
understanding of the needs and re- 
sources of the community as a whole, 
and in fuller co-operation in develop- 
ing the units of "Real Boston," not only 
locally, but with regard to the industrial 
and social growth of the metropolitan 
area. 



House No. 1109; To Develop the 
Resources and Improve the Conditions 
in the Metropolitan District. Designed 
to provide the city of Boston and the 
Metropolitan District with a city plan, 
which shall enable it to develop along 
sound industrial, social and moral lines. 
It creates a commission of three members 
to consider such large improvements 
in the so-called Metropolitan District 
as have to do with the securing of better 



homes, the structural and sanitary safety 
of building, the prevention of congestion, 
the control of fire hazard, the proper 
distribution of buildings for purposes 
of residence, manufacturing, trade and 
transportation, the extension of water 
supply and sewerage, the reservation 
of lands for public uses, and the co- 
ordination of transportation of passengers 
and freight, whether by railroads, rail- 
ways, highways, or water. 

A city plan is fundamental to the right 
development of Boston, and for that 
reason has the active support of Boston- 
1915, the conferences of which realize 
that a well-planned city is a necessary 
basis for all their work. 

House No. 1327; Provides for the 
Construction of One or More Sanitary 
Stations for the Use of Both Sexes in 
Cities and Toivns of over 8,000 Inhabitants. 
It is common knowledge that there is 
no more effective temperance work which 
can be undertaken than the placing of 
convenience stations in every congested 
center. 

The Neighborhood Conference of 
Boston-1915 has already voted to work 
for an increase of such stations in the 
city of Boston, and the project is one 
which Boston-1915 believes to be of high 
importance to the public welfare. 



House No. 1331; Extends the Power 
of the Board of Health in Regard to the 
Number of Occupants of Buildings. This 
bill is put in by Mayor Fitzgerald at the 
request of the Board of Health and the 
Housing Committee of Boston-1915. 
Under it over-crowding is made a mis- 
demeanor; and its passage is believed 
fundamental to the work for prevention 
of congestion. 




THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 
CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY 



DR. HENRY O. MARCY 



In the efforts for sound metropolitan development based upon a scientific city 
plan, ivhich the Chamber of Covimerce, Boston-1i)\5 and other agencies are mak- 
ing, it is both instructive and encouraging to remind our citizens as in the following 
article, hoio much Boston has already accomplished in giving value to waste lands, 
in developing bridges and other arteries of travel and in promoting civic health and 
beauty. If she has been able to do all this in a more or less haphazard fashion how 
much more might be accomplished by united effort guided by a definite and compre- 
hensive plan. — Editor. 



WE often fail to appreciate the 
magnitude of the work neces- 
sitated in the building of a city. 
The problems presented must necessarily 
vary greatly. Of these Boston has had 
her full share. Within the memory of 
men yet living, more than two thousand 
acres have been redeemed from the 
surrounding watery waste and are already, 
for the most part, developed into highly 
productive property. 

Greater Boston, destined at an early 
date to be one in corporate existence, is 
growing at a rate that is hardly surpassed 
by any other city on the continent. In 
the area measured on the basis of that of 
Philadel])hia and Chicago, Boston already 
has a population in excess of 1,500,000. 
Measured by the wider radius of her 
places of amusement and great depart- 
ment stores, Boston is the geographic 
center of quite 3,000,000 people, repre- 
senting wealth in excess of any equal 
number on the continent. 

At present we may rate ourselves as 
third in the list of cities, as second in 
commerce and wealth and as first in 
education, learning and refinement. 
Verily the labors of the fathers have 
found fruition, although from the view- 
point of the Western citizen. New Eng- 
land is sidetracked geographically. 

Those who have criticised Boston as 
a "state of mind" as well as those who 
take just pride in the city's development, 
will be interested in an outline of some 
of the great public improvements that 



have been made since William Black- 
stone built his little cabin upon the 
western declivity of Beacon Hill. 

The first map giving any evidence of 
approximate accuracy of detail was by 
William Wood in 1634. Wood wrote: 

"Boston is two miles northeast from Roxberry: 
His situation is very pleasant, being a peninsula 
hem'd in on the south side with the Bay of Rox- 
berry, on the north side with Charles River, the 
marshes on the back side, being not half a quarter 
of a mile over; so that a little fencing will secure 
their cattle from the wollves. Their greatest wants 
be wood and medow-ground which never were 
in that place, being constrayned to fetch their 
building timber and fire wood from the land in 
Boates, and their Hay in Loyters. It being a 
necke and bare of wood, they are not troubled 
with three great annoyances of Woolves, Rattle- 
snakes and iNIusketoes." 

The famous map of Bonner, published 
in ll'i'i, states that the entire Boston 
Peninsula comprises about l2,700 acres 
of land above the tides. It is interest- 
ing to note Long Wharf and the reason 
for its name, projecting, as it did over 
the mud flats, nearly 5,000 feet, in order 
to reach water of a depth sufficient to 
accommodate the light draft vessels of 
nearly two centuries ago. The filling 
of these flats was one of the first sub- 
stantial improvements of our harbor 
front . 

Long after the Revolution, the high 
tiflcs washed over the narrow neck of 
land between Boston and Roxbury, con- 
verting Boston into an island. By a 
slow process of growth the "South End" 
was developed, and a generation ago a 



471 



472 



NEW BOSTON 



considerable portion of it, more notably 
Chester Park, became the most desirable 
residential section of the city. General 
Gage sent reinforcements to his dis- 
tressed soldiers at Lexington, in boats 
from the foot of the Common, The 
waters of the Bay covered uninter- 
ruptedly the great stretches to the south 
of the Brookline shores. 

The wide crescent-shaped area lying 
south of the old North Church was slowly 
redeemed from the sea and the broad 
acres bisected by Canal Street were 
built over and given largely to business. 
Men yet living speak of the excellent 
duck shooting in this locality. 

On the western shore of the harbor 
and bay. East Boston, Chelsea, Charles- 
town and Cambridge have all taken wide 
areas by the filling in of the shallow 
margins, adding materially to the de- 
velopment of their area and value of the 
adjacent property. 

The surveying department of Boston 
in 1893 reports thus: "The commercial 
problem alone, the great mainstay of 
a seaport community, has for years been 
allowed to drift unaided by any fostering 
action on the part of the municipality 
to provide for present needs and the 
future growth of a port of the position 
and prominence of Boston. The total 
area reclaimed from the sea up to the 
year 1894 amounted to 2,245 acres. 
None, however, can deny the fact that 
all these reclamations of flats and marsh- 
lands have been lucrative investments, 
but that the ground thus created has 
been invaluable to the growth and evo- 
lution of the whole city into a commercial 
center or metropolis. The value of the 
filled lands in the Back Bay alone, ac- 
cording to the assessors' figures, is 
$200,000,000." 

In the eighteen years since the above 
report was issued it is a conservative 
estimate that the values have increased 
not less than $50,000,000. 



The Charles River Bridge Company 
was incorporated in 1785. The bridge 
was completed in about one year, being 
open for travel with elaborate ceremony 
on the seventeenth of June. It was 1,503 
feet long and forty-two feet wide, with 
seventy-five piers. On each side was a 
walk six feet wide, railed in for safety. 



The bridge was lighted by forty lanterns, 
mounted on posts. Fifteen thousand 
Pounds were subscribed for construction. 

This first Charles River Bridge proved 
to be an exceedingly profitable venture, 
and it is stated that in 1826 an original 
owner of a single share had received 
principal with interest and a surplus 
of $7,000. The financial success of this 
undertaking naturally stimulated bridge 
building between Cambridge and Boston. 

The Charlestown Bridge was pur- 
chased in 1846 for $60,000, and in 1858 
it was freed from tolls. In 1894 the 
Charlestown Bridge was ordered rebuilt, 
and construction began in 1896. The 
bridge was open for travel on November 
27, 1899. It has a maximum grade of 
three per cent. It is 1,900 feet in length 
and 100 feet wide. The total cost was 
$1,570,197.98. 

In March, 1792, a company was 
formed to build the West Boston Bridge, 
which was opened for travel on the 
twenty-third of November of that year, 
having been built in seven and one-half 
months. The bridge proper was 3,483 
feet long and was supported upon 180 
piers. 

The causeway over the marsh on the 
Cambridge side was 3,340 feet long and 
extended to the junction of Main Street 
and Massachusetts Avenue. Retaining 
walls were built upon either side of the 
roadway, and a canal thirty feet wide 
was dug on each side of the bridge. The 
cost of the West Boston Bridge was 
$76,700. In 1846 it was purchased by 
the city for $75,000 and was freed from 
tolls in 1858. 

For years the necessity had been felt 
for replacing the old West Boston Bridge 
with a more commodious structure. This 
work was authorized on May 26, 1896, 
and construction was begun in July, 
1900. The new bridge was opened for 
travel on August 12, 1906. Its length 
between abutments is 1,767 feet. The 
cost of $2,654,895.66 was shared by the 
Boston Elevated Railroad to the amount 
of $477,000. The cost of the approaches 
to the West Boston Bridge was about 
$500,000 additional. 

The River Street Bridge was built for 
the advantage of the West Boston Bridge 
proprietors and the owners of real estate. 
Until 1832 the bridge and road were 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY 



473 




474 



NEW BOSTON 








j^,^iii< -£;ouAXJi£ Jii J^3:y 



Copyright by C. E. Goodapad 



maintained by the original proprietors. 
At that time it came under the control 
of the town. 

The Canal Bridge Company was in- 
corporated in 1807, and Craigie's Bridge, 
2,796 feet in length, was opened for 
travel on the thirtieth of August, 1809. 
The Craigie Bridge was made free to the 
public on January 30, 1858. The shares 
for this bridge were subscribed within 
three hours. 

The Western Avenue Bridge was 
erected by the proprietors of the West 
Boston Bridge under authority granted 
in June, 18*24. This made a new com- 
mimicating link between Central Square, 
Cambridge, and Watertown. 

An act of April 25, 1850, authorized 
the construction of the Brookline Bridge, 
which was l^uilt for the lienefit of persons 
owning real estate in its immediate 
vicinity. It was transferred to the city 
and became a free bridge in 1869, since 
which time Cambridge has been free 
from toll bridges. The authority to 
rebuild the Brookline Street Bridge, 
with a separation of grades, was granted 
in 1905. The bridge is sixty feet wade 
with a clear space over the railroad 
tracks of sixteen and one-half feet. It 
was constructed by the city of Boston, 
Cambridge paying only the cost of the 
grading upon the Cambridge side of the 
bridge. The Boston and Albany Rail- 
road paid $50,000; the Commonwealth, 
$25,000 and the Boston Elevated Rail- 
way Company, $7,500. 

the Warren Bridge, 1,390 feet in 
length and forty-four feet wide, leading 
from Haverhill Street to Charlestown, 



was built in 1828 and was also freed from 
tolls in 1858. 

At present we rarely think how com- 
paratively recently communication and 
transportation with and to the back 
country was limited to draft animals. 
Before the building of the Brookline 
and West Boston bridges the only me- 
thod of land transportation was by the 
first bridge built across the Charles 
River near the present Stadium. This 
high road of travel made the circuit 
through Roxbury to Long Wharf, for 
all the bulky and heavy articles for use 
as far westward as the Connecticut 
River. 



In 1848, Isaac Livermore, Charles 
Davenport and Newell Bent of Cam- 
bridge were the incorporators of the 
Union Railroad Company. The road 
did not prove successful from a financial 
standpoint and was abandoned in 1860. 
The franchise was acquired by the 
Boston and Albany Railroad and the 
road was reconstructed and opened as 
the Grand Junction Railroad in 1866. 
Through this railway, which became a 
necessary adjunct to the developing rail- 
way system, the Boston and Albany Rail- 
road could send its freight to the wharves 
in East Boston for European shipment. 
Cambridge welcomed the passage of 
this road through her neglected marshes. 
For a long time it added little to the de- 
velopment of business interests of Cam- 
bridge and even now many consider it 
of doubtful value, since its long trains 
cross at grade and interrupt the thorough- 
fares connecting Boston with the west- 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY 475 




"NEW BOSTON AND CHARLES RIVER BASIN" 

From the Davenport Plan of about 1885 

"Within a distance of about two miles from the State House, and westerly from the Public Garden there was, in 1860, 
a large, vacant and unsightly territory of little value. Now it is largely covered with magnificent and costly buildings 
and in 188.5 had a total valuation of .$101,229,300, including the valuation of churches and institutions of science. 
Within this distance is the Common, Public Garden, Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay Park, and the beautiful and 
priceless Charles River Basin. These together will giv-e an open area of water and pleasure ground of about 800 
acres, equal in size to the New York Central Park. Being located in the centre of a large and growing population 
and with the completion of the embankments on said basin, there will be reserved a beautiful inland sea of about 
500 acres, an ornamental esplanade 200 feet wide which will contain 110 acres (giving houses here on Beacon Street 
two fronts) allowing fine facilities for boating and other pleasant and healthy exercises in the open air; also a delightful 
drive around said basin of over five miles, making it the most beautiful water park in the world, and a cause of 
pride to all citizens. Boston, when her other splendid system of parks and parkways are completed, and with her 
numerous institutions of science, and her many advantages as a commercial city, she will be the most attractive and 
desirable city on the continent to reside in." From the original Davenport plan. 



476 



NEW BOSTON 



ward. Large business enterprises in 
great variety are now springing up on 
the line of the road and add very largely 
to the manufacturing interests and popu- 
lation of a widespread community. 



One of the most important measures 
inaugurated for the improvement of 
the Charles River Basin on the Boston 
side was the extension of Beacon Street 
to Brookline. Beacon Street was then 
called Western Avenue. It was laid 
out by the Boston and Roxbury Mill 
Corporation, under a charter granted in 
1814, but it was not opened for travel 
until 1821, and the road was not com- 
pleted until 1826. Tolls were collected 
until 1868 when the "mill dam" or 
Beacon Street extension became a public 
highway. 

In 1837 the Public Garden was pro- 
vided by the city. This section was to 
be devoted forever to park purposes 
with the exception of the possible build- 
ing of a city hall. Although it was under 
state supervision the state was never 
required to furnish money for the de- 
velopment. 

As early as 1814 the general court 
granted a charter to the Boston and 
Roxbury Mill Corporation. This cor- 
poration had little thought of reclaim- 
ing the Back Bay from the Charles 
River for building purposes. Building 
room was ample at that time for what 
seemed to be the future needs of Boston. 
Out of the efforts of the Mill Corpora- 
tion there grew, years after the mill 
dam, or Beacon Street Extension, had 
been utilized for commercial purposes, 
a grand scheme of filling in the entire 
territory. 

In 1831 the Boston and Providence 
and the Boston and Worcester Railroad 
Companies were incorporated. The line 
of each road was laid out across the low 
basins of the water power company. 
It was foreseen that the construction 
of these railroads would greatly diminish 
the supply of water for mill purposes and 
there was in consequence a depreciation 
of one-half in the value of the stock of 
both the mill corporation and the water 
power company. 

It will be readily perceived that at 
this stage of development the whole 
Back Bay was a filthy area which was 



described in 1849 as "an open cesspool, 
receiving the sewage of a large com- 
munity, making itself a nuisance, offen- 
sive and injurious to a very large number 
of people." A commission was appointed 
by the state in 1852 and the principal 
portions of their findings in regard to 
filling in the Back Bay are summarized 
as follows: 

1. The corporations should be permitted to hold 
and use their property for land purposes, and aban- 
don their business as mill and water-power owners. 

2. All filling within the tide-water basin should 
be done with clean gravel. 

3. Provision should be made for perfect drainage. 

4. The streets to be laid out on the made-land 
should be wide and ample. 

5. The Mill Dam, or Western Avenue, and all 
other roads within the territory, should eventually 
be made free highways. 

6. The filling should be done in such a manner 
that the scouring force of the water should not be 
diminished, and the harbor not be injured. 

7. The flats north of the mill dam should be 
included in the improvement. 

8. The receiving basin should be filled up and 
laid out, and so disposed of as 'to secure for it a 
healthy and thrifty population, and, by inherent 
and permanent causes, forever to prevent this 
territory from becoming the abode of filth and 
disease.' 

9. All this should be done by authority and under 
direction of the state. 

In 1856 the work of filling in the Back 
Bay was actually begun. Charles Daven- 
port, while on a business engagement 
in Cuba, saw the embankment on the 
bay of Havana and its uses by the 
public. He conceived the idea of chang- 
ing the unsightly marshes bordering 
upon the Charles River, and of construct- 
ing a beautiful water park in the center 
of a great city. In furthering this pur- 
pose he purchased much the larger 
portion of the marshes between the 
West Boston and Brookline bridges. 
His beautiful plan was elaborated in 
1873 by the aid of Albert L. Coolidge, 
and the present development is a worthy 
monument to the memory of one of 
Boston's most enterprising citizens. He 
predicted, as an apparent forecast of 
the present Boston-1915 movement, that 
at this date the population of Greater 
Boston should be about 2,000,000, basing 
his prophecy on the fact that the popu- 
lation of the district since 1830 had 
doubled. 

The Charles River Embankment Com- 
pany was organized in 1881. In 1878 
the Legislature granted to the owners of 



[THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY 477 




Copyright Boston Photo News Co. 

LAND RECLAIMED BY CHARLES RIVER DAM CONSTRUCTION 



marshes and flats the privilege of fiUing 
their lands to grade. The city on its 
part agreed that for the ensuing ten 
years the taxation for the land thus 
filled should be on a nominally assessed 
valuation. The work of filling flats to 
grade was done by the late Charles S. 
Souther, by means of a hydraulic dredge, 
which was brought from Washington 
for this purpose. The dredge served the 
double purpose of deepening and clean- 
ing the river bed and transporting the 
debris through a fifteen-inch pipe by 
means of a very powerful pump. In 
the matter thus carried off were tons of 
oyster and clam shells and a few deeply 
oxidized twelve-pound cannon balls, sup- 
posed to have been used during the Revo- 
lution. Much of the larger portion of 
the filling was clean drift gravel over 
clay, which makes an excellent founda- 
tion for building. 

The Cambridge Park Department re- 
port of 1901 in. speaking of the progress 
of the Cambridge side of the river says: 

It will be remembered that the Charles Riv'er 
Embankment Company and others completed in 
1893 a sea wall for a distance along the river on 
both sides of the Harvard Bridge of about 3,777 
feet, and filled in the flats back of the wall to the 
Grand Junction tracks. There was left from the 
end of our sea wall to the railroad bridge, a dis- 
tance of about 2,500 feet, and an area of flats and 
marshes, mostly exposed at all except high tide, of 
about twenty-five and one-half acres running back to 
the Grand Junction Railroad, and divided into a num- 



ber of separate ownerships. The filling in of this tract 
is now finished. The work adds a redeemed area 
of about fifteen and one-half acres to the taxable 
property of the city. 

The filling of the flats between Main 
Street, Cambridge, and the eastern 
boimdary of the Charles River Embank- 
ment Company's property was comj^leted 
on April 1, 1899. This tract consisted 
of about fifty acres, and was filled with 
clean sandy gravel from the river bed 
at a cost of thirty cents a square foot. 



The development of the Back Bay 
territory of Boston and that section of 
Cambridge between Main Street and the 
Charles River naturally made it appar- 
ent that another avenue should be con- 
structed, connecting Cambridge with 
Boston. The West Boston Bridge was 
narrow and could not conveniently ac- 
commodate the great increase in travel. 
The distance from the West Boston 
Bridge to the Brookline Street Bridge 
made the intervening stretch of the 
river a barrier between important sections. 

In 1874', under the leadership of the 
late Henry O, Houghton, the construc- 
tion of a new bridge l)etween Putnam 
Avenue extended and St. Mary's Street 
in Boston was urgently advocated. Ow- 
ing to dift'erence of opinion nothing was 
accomplished. In 1880, Dr. Henry O. 
Marcy, Charles Raymond and a few 



478 



NEW BOSTON 



others investigated the movement for 
the construction of a new, broad avenue 
commencing at the junction of Main 
and Front streets in Cambridge, ex- 
tending through the territory redeemed 
from the river and the building of the 
Harvard bridge. Owing to a legal con- 
troversy with the Boston and Albany 
Railway, the bridge was not opened for 
travel until 1891. Harvard Bridge be- 
came the most important westerly 
thoroughfare from Boston, and its only 
criticism, which is a just one, is that a 
larger and better bridge should have 
been constructed. This was urged at 
the time, but the public failed to see its 
need. The Harvard Bridge cost $510,- 
642. 8G. It is 2,164 feet nine inches 
in length and sixty-nine feet, four inches 
in width. At first seven cars an hour 
were thought ample, but now morning 
and evening this number exceeds a 
hundred cars an hour. 

One of the most recent decided im- 
provements was the construction of a 
new avenue connecting East Cambridge 
with Boston. This was built with a 
double purpose; to serve as a dam for 



retaining the waters of the Charles 
River at a uniform high level and to 
convert the basin into fresh water. The 
lock and the gates of this Charles River 
Dam are of the most expensive and im- 
proved pattern. The roadway is a 
hundred feet in width, and seven and 
one-half acres have been redeemed from 
the river bed and converted into a beau- 
tiful park. The Boston Elevated Rail- 
way is constructing alongside a roadway 
upon beautiful ornamental arches. The 
final cost of the elevated structure will 
be about $800,000. There will be eleven 
arches at a height of nineteen feet, four 
inches. 

In the final report of the Charles River 
Basin Commission the total cost of the 
improvements, including the dam, locks, 
marginal sewer ui:)on the Boston side, 
the embankment in the rear of Beacon 
Street, dredging the Basin, etc., is given 
as $3,992,552.91. Under the supervision 
of the commissioners there has been 
added nearly thirty-five acres of im- 
proved land to the park area, and con- 
stant water level has been established in 
the basin, having an area of 800 acres, 




CovVTight Boston Photo News Co. 

PILE DRIVING FOR COFFER DAM ALONG CHARLES RIVER BASIN 



THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHARLES RIVER ESTUARY 479 



and 175 acres of mud flats, formerly 
exposed at low tide, have been covered. 
A tidal estuary has been transformed 
into a fresh water basin, thus securing 
the permanent improvement of nearly 
eighteen miles of shore, dedicated al- 
most entirely to public uses. 

The last of the improvements of the 
Charles River Basin was the reclamation 
from the river bed of a stretch of land 
between the West Boston and Harvard 
Bridges. This section is 300 feet in 
width to the angle of the river from 
near Arlington Street and from this 
point extends in the rear of Beacon 
Street to the Fenway. It is much to be 
regretted that this portion of the reserva- 
tion is only one hundred feet wide. 
The work is now practically completed 
and converts the Boston side of the 
river, from an abomination of deso- 
lation, into one of the most beautiful 
sections of the entire district. 

The magnitude of great public works 
like those already outlined are rarely 
appreciated by the average citizen. From 
the wide marshy wastes of the muddy 
river, street after street was laid out and 
is now fully built upon. The Fens have 
been developed into a beautiful park 
around which alreadv cluster a nuu'ber 



of our great public buildings, costing 
many millions of dollars. An ugly tidal 
stream, little less than an open cesspool, 
has been converted into a beautiful 
water parkway extending nearly to Ja- 
maica Pond. Each side of this a most 
attractive boulevard has been con- 
structed, which encircles Jamaica Pond, 
traverses the Arnold Arboretum, and 
forms an attractive connecting link with 
Forest Hills Cemetery and our great 
Franklin Park reservation — an impor- 
tant part of Boston's park drives and 
reservations which has been constructed 
at an expense of $18,000,000. The 
Charles River Basin itself has been trans- 
formed into a stream of beauty, and its 
banks upon both sides for eleven miles 
are, for the most part, already a portion 
of our great Metropolitan Park System. 
The Cambridge side of Boston's 
central water park, unequaled by that 
of any city in the world, remains to be 
developed. It is owned, for the most 
part, by public-spirited citizens who are 
determined it shall receive a dignified 
development worthy of its superb loca- 
tion. It has been held for years in the 
belief that great public buildings would 
be erected to supply the demands of 
the "New Boston." 




^ton Photo News Co. 

TWO COMPLETED SPANS IN CHARLES RIVER DAjVI 



DOES CITY PLANNING PAY? 



JOHN NOLEN 



The City Planning Conference of Bodo7i-1915 jpreaenied a comprehensiie 
report [in A^eiv Boston for February) covering Transportation, Water Snp)phj and 
Drainage, Public Lands and Building and Housing Bequirements and recommend- 
ing that the planning and executing of snch metropolitan improvements be entrusted 
to some permanent state or metropolitan authority. This report ivas endorsed by 
the Directors of Boston-lQ15 as one of the chief projects of that organization. — 
Editor. 



THE form of the civic awakening 
in which Metropohtan Boston, 
the "Eeal Boston," is now most 
interested, is the need of comprehensive 
planning. This is simply a conscious 
effort to use art and skill and foresight 
for what we have heretofore left to 
chance. It is an attempt to correct, to 
some extent at least, the mistakes of 
the past, to provide more intelligently 
for the present, and to forecast, as far 
as may be, the inevitable requirements 
of the future. One of the main pur- 
poses of such comprehensive planning 
is to prevent the extravagance of present 
methods, to save the almost incalculable 
waste due to haphazard, unskilful and 
shortsighted procedure. There are at 
least three ways in which metropolitan 
planning would thus pay the people of 
Boston and adjacent towns and cities. 
In the first place, certain things are 
indispensable for every city — for ex- 
ample, proper streets and thorough- 
fares, suitable public buildings, and an 
adequate number of playgrounds, parks, 
and open spaces. All these must be 
secured sooner or later. It is not a 
question of getting them or not getting 
them. It is merely a question of when 
they are to be secured. Now short- 
sighted people often deceive themselves 
with the view that they are saving money 
and avoiding expense, by postponing 
expenditure for these city necessities. 
But experience in such matters shows 
that this is a mistaken view. By such 
action they are merely increasing ex- 
pense, increasing the kind of burden from 
which Boston suffers today. Why? 



Simply because the most desirable land 
in cities steadily increases in value; 
because street widenings and the clear- 
ing of properties for playgrounds involve 
the destruction of more and more im- 
provements as the years go on, and 
because the constant rebuilding of public 
buildings costs more than a really good 
building, properly and permanently lo- 
cated, would have cost in the first in- 
stance. I could name specific illustra- 
tions from a dozen cities to illustrate 
each one of these points. But it is not 
necessary to go to other cities. Anyone 
who is familiar with Boston knows that 
many of the best illustrations can be 
had here, and that the present sad 
plight of Boston is largely the result of 
this same short-sighted policy which 
some misguided, though well-intentioned 
citizens now wish to continue. 

Secondly, it must be kept in mind that 
cities must choose usually between one 
form of expenditure or another. For 
example, the people of a city may choose 
to pay the direct and indirect cost of 
typhoid fever and other epidemics rather 
than increase the outlay for water and 
sewers and other forms of sanitation. 
They may prefer to pay the bills result- 
ing from a poor and inadequate street 
system for traffic, transportation, and 
circulation of people and goods, rather 
than make the loans and appropriations 
required by the adoption of a more 
thoughtful and up-to-date method of 
locating and improving streets and high- 
ways. But does it pay? These same 
half-blind and unreflecting people may 
prefer to lay out the money that they 



480 



DOES CITY PLANNING PAY? 



481 



must lay out for ignorant, inefficient, 
diseased and deformed children; for 
hospitals, asylums, reformatories, rather 
than pay the smaller cost of adequate 
schools, school-grounds and playgrounds. 
For example, it costs only $800 to educate 
a normal boy in the Boston schools for 
twelve years, or less than $70 a year. 
On the other hand, it costs $400 to take 
care of a bad boy in Boston for one 
year. Which is cheaper, to say nothing 
of better.^ It is time that we had the 
same kind of sanity in public expendi- 
tures that we have in private expendi- 
tures, for it ought to be plain to a thrifty 
citizen and tax-payer that the proposed 
method is not only a better method, it 
is a cheaper method. 

Finally, what does a true comparison 
of city finances of cities of the same class 
show\'' Where graft and corruption and 
unusual lack of efficiency do not enter, 
a comparison shows that cities that have 
carried out improvements on a broad 
scale, cities that are progressive in such 
matters — these cities have not a higher 
but a lower tax rate. This is already 
true of cities even in this country where 
there has not yet been ample oppor- 
tunity to test this principle. Most of 
our cities are sadly out-of-date. It is 
even more true, however, if we consider 
the cities of other countries, especially 
those of Germany, where large public 
improvements have been carried out 



liberally and consistently for more than 
forty years, w^here the tax rate for city 
expenses is lower, notwithstanding the 
excellence of all city constructions. 
Indeed, the wiser land policy and taxa- 
tion system of German cities, which 
identify cost and benefit, enable some 
of them to substitute dividends for taxes. 
But let me frankly confess how narrow 
and sordid all this line of reasoning is. 
Cities pay heavily for a mean and un- 
businesslike public policy in many ways 
that cannot be exactly described and 
located, but which every business man 
and city official ought to understand. 
On the other hand, no city that ever 
adopted the better and more progressive 
method of city improvement ever re- 
treated from it afterwards. On the con- 
trary, it always wondered why it hesi- 
tated, for it found the gains over-bal- 
anced many, many times the cost. As 
a well-known authority on cities has 
recently pointed out, the central and all- 
important problem of the great cities 
is the problem of the budget; how to 
spend honestly, liberally, efficiently and 
promptly for the protection of life, 
health and property and for the advance- 
ment of civilization — and how to levy 
for these expenditures upon the advan- 
tage fund created by the community 
life in such a manner that taxation shall 
not breed fresh inequality, injustice, and 
civic disloyalty. 



''The forward movement in Boston is known as the "191.5" campaign, the in- 
tention being to have all the proposed improvements in working order by that year, 
when, it is likely, some sort of an exposition will be held to signalize the completion 
of the task. It is said that the various progressive elements in the community are 
working together as never before. The unifying effect of a common purpose has been 
mo,st inspiring, and members of the several organizations have come to knoir and 
understand each other better. This spirit of co-operation is counted one of the 
chief benefits that will result from the Boston-1915 movement. Certainly it is a 
necessary factor in the advancement of any community.'' — The Pittsburg Gazette 
Times. 



BRINGING THE WIFE DESERTER 

TO TERiMS 

C. C. CARSTENS 

Secretary of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children 



The Chanties and Correction Conference of Boston-1915 has chosen as its 
immediate work ''the enforcing of 'parental responsibility,'' as outlined in a hill 
to bring the wife deserter to terms, noiv before the Massachusetts Legislature. This 
article by Mr. Carstens as ivell as the one following by Judge De Lacy show what 
could be accomplished by a strict enforcement of the non-support law. — Editor. 



AMONG the cases of wife deser- 
tion recorded by the Massa- 
chusetts Society for the Preven- 
tion of Cruelty to Children is a story of 
a father who for months left his family 
without support. The mother had tried 
to maintain the household by her own 
work, and to bring up her children prop- 
erly. Several times her husband came 
home late at night and abused her, but 
he contributed nothing to the support 
of the family. When arrested for non- 
support a revolver was found on his 
person and he was sentenced to four 
months' imprisonment for carrying con- 
cealed weapons. The non-support charge 
was merely placed on file. 

Is it likely that this man, and for that 
matter all others who hear of such an 
occurrence, get the proper understand- 
ing of family responsibilities, where such 
methods prevail? 

There is now a bill before the Massa- 
chusetts Legislature, House No. 473, 
which aims to "make the deserter pay 
the piper." It is based on the successful 
law in the District of Columbia, which 
is described by Judge De Lacy on an- 
other page of this magazine, and out- 
lined briefly is as follows: 

According to this bill, if it shall be- 
come a law, whoever without lawful 
excuse deserts his wife or children, 
whether by going into some other part 
of this commonwealth or into another 
state without making reasonable pro- 
vision for their support, shall be punish- 
able by a fine of not more than $200 



or by imprisonment of not more than 
one year or by both. 

An important section of the bill 
provides that the family of any person 
convicted under this act and sentenced 
to a penal institution shall receive fifty 
cents a day for every day's work per- 
formed while in confinement. 

To understand properly the present 
situation in Massachusetts, the results 
of a year's study of non-support cases 
made by the Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Children is particularly 
valuable. A few actual instances which 
came under its observation are sub- 
mitted to show the type of cases under 
consideration. 

A is a German American tinsmith of about fifty 
who deserted his wife and two dependent children 
in 19UG. Addicted to drink, he yet did not lose 
his work on that account. First Providence 
sheltered him, and later he was definitely located 
on Long Island. The mother's statements were 
verified; the district-attorney agreed to extradite 
him if the Society would assume the expense; 
in this instance it was agreed to; he was indicted 
by the Grand Jury; extradition papers were issued 
which Gov. Hughes honored; he was brought back; 
his sentence suspended on condition that he would 
go to work and contribute toward the support of 
his family. The court ordered him to pay $3 
a week out of .$9, which was his earning capacity 
for some time. Later on by agreement this was 
increased to $5, which he is now paying regularly 
through the Society. The wife has recently allowed 
him to get a divorce since she would not consent 
to live with him, the children remaining in her 
custody. He now earns $15 to $18 a week. 

C is a man of forty, of Irish extraction. When 
the case came to the Society his wife was in the 
hospital with a serious illness which soon caused 
her death. There were seven children, the oldest 
fifteen and the youngest two, whom the father has 



482 



BRINGING THE WIFE DESERTER TO TERMS 



483 



never adequately supported. He had been placed 
on probation on a previous occasion without the 
desired effect, but when he came into court on our 
complaint, he was again placed on probation, con- 
trary to our advice, the court explaining that it 
would not help the family to sentence him. He 
was soon defaulted and then appealed from the 
sentence. \^Tien convicted in the Superior Court 
he was again placed on probation and without 
making a single payment, he disappeared and has 
not been located since. Some of the children are 
dependent on relatives, some are with strangers, 
while others are in institutions. 

E is a colored man who was brought into court 
on the complaint of the wife for his failure to support 
her and their four children. He was ordered to 
pay $6 a week. He made one payment and then 
disappeared. He was traced to Providence where 
our agent, who visited him, and the agent of a 
local charitable society, succeeded in getting from 
him inadequate sums for some time. The mother 
was not equal to the task of supporting any of the 
children. She was reported to be syphilitic and to 
be associating with people of low repute, though 
the last was never definitely established. With 
her own consent the children were committed to 
the State Board of Charity. The father has made 
no payments since January, 1910, though he is 
probably still in Providence. His earnings are not 
large; the cost of extradition is considerable, and 
the value of extradition in this case is not clear. 

These are but four out of forty cases 
whose treatment and whose results 
we have carefully examined. Twenty 
of these forty were dealt with without 
court action; the other twenty have all 
been before one or more of the courts 
of the Commonwealth. The total amount 
collected during the twelve months of 
October 1, 1909, to September 30, 1910, 
from these forty cases was $1,936, about 
$61< of which came from those where 
no court action was taken. Twelve 
of the forty may be reckoned successes. 
The first two instances which I cited 
are examples of this group. Nineteen 
are clearly failures and nine are still 
uncertain — a report of a year's persistent 
following up which makes one ask the 
question: Is it worth while? In fact, 
one inclines to the opinion that non- 
support work with our present administra- 
tive machinery is still a failure in Massa- 
chusetts. 

Considering first the twenty cases 
that were taken to court, we find that 
the men earned on an average a minimum 
of $15 a week, and that the courts ordered 
these men to pay for the support of their 
wives and children on an average $4.60 
a W'Cek, the minimum being $2, the 
maximum $35 a month. The total 
amount obtained from these men was 



$701.50, of which the Society collected 
$659.50 and various probation officers 
the rest, the largest sum obtained during 
the year from any one person being 
$200. Of these twenty court cases, three 
were successes, thirteen failures and four 
are still uncertain. Seven of the men 
have entirely disappeared. 

Turning now to the twenty cases where 
for a variety of reasons the Society under- 
took to collect money by persistent 
following up, by befriending the various 
members of the family, by bringing about 
reconciliation wherever advisable and 
possible, and by using various other 
social agencies for the re-establishment 
of the family, we learn that the average 
minimum earnings of the men was $13 
a week, but that we collected and turned 
over to the families or other agencies 
who are taking care of the children 
$1,234.50, the largest sum from any one 
man during the year being $210. We 
count the results in nine instances suc- 
cesses, in six failures, and in five still 
uncertain; one father has gone to parts 
unknown; two families have been re- 
established. 

It may perhaps be suggested that the 
men from whom money was collected 
without court action had not sunk as 
low as the men of the group that were 
taken to court. This is, however, not 
borne out by the facts. When we com- 
pare the groups individually, man for 
man, we find that both groups contain 
all sorts. Two of the men were persuaded 
to increase substantially the payment 
ordered by the court, one of them 
doubling it. From the fact that so much 
more money was collected from those 
that were not taken to court and that 
so many more successes are reported 
from this group, one might be led to 
conclude that it would be better to dis- 
pense with court action in non-support 
cases. Experience leads one to believe, 
however, that it is not so desirable that 
court action should be dispensed with 
as that it should be modified and that 
the community should learn to utilize 
it at the proper time and in the proper 
way. 

It is always dangerous in an analysis 
of motives to say that one element rather 
than another is at the bottom of the 
trouble, and for this reason we have 



484 



NEW BOSTON 



grave doubts whether the study of causes 
of non-support has any particular value. 
From our knowledge of these families 
we find that in twenty-three instances 
intemperance seems to have been the 
most serious fault in the family, while 
in ten others the immorality of the 
husband and in two the immorality of 
the wife seemed to have caused the 
trouble. This accounts for thirty-five 



of the forty. In the others a variety 
of reasons, even with our knowledge, 
must be assigned. From this brief 
and imperfect analysis we must conclude 
that in the study of non-support we are 
not dealing with a simple phase of com- 
munity life, but a complex problem that 
will require a union of the social forces 
with the governmental agencies if suc- 
cess is to be attained. 



MAKING WIFE DESERTION 
UNPOPULAR 

The Working of the Non-Support Law of the District 

of Columbia 



WILLIAM H. Del AC Y 

Judge of the Juvenile Court, District of Columbia 



IF the children are fed in their homes 
there is little likelihood of their 
going into the streets to either beg 
or steal. If the father is housing and 
feeding his little flock, it almost in- 
variably happens that he is also meeting 
fairly his other obligation to educate 
and train the children to good citizen- 
ship, and, consequently, there is little 
probability that the children will be 
guilty of disorderly conduct. 

On the other hand, following the 
father's failure to support his family, 
we find much juvenile delinquency. 
So that in preventing juvenile crime, 
protecting the community from improper 
burdens, and relieving the necessities 
of wives and children, much benefit 
has been derived from an act of March 
23, 1906, (34 Stat. L., 86), entitled: 
"An act making it a misdemeanor in 
the District of Columbia to abandon 
or willfully neglect to provide for the 
support and maintenance by any person 
of his wife or of his or her minor children 
in destitute or necessitous circumstances." 

According to the provisions of this 
act, it becomes a misdemeanor punish- 
able by a fine of not more than $500 or 
by imprisonment in the workhouse for 



not more than twelve months, for any 
person to desert or neglect his children 
under the age of sixteen years. In case 
a fine is imposed, the court may direct 
that it be paid in whole or in part to the 
wife or guardian of the deserted chil- 
dren. Before trial, with the consent 
of the defendant, or after conviction, 
the court has the power to put the 
deserter on probation and to direct 
him to pay a certain sum weekly for 
one year to the person or organization 
having his child in charge. If the court 
finds during the course of the year that 
the deserter has violated the terms of 
his agreement it may proceed with his 
trial under the original charge, or sentence 
him under the original conviction or 
enforce the original sentence as the case 
may be. In case the deserter is sentenced 
to the workhouse, the superintendent 
is authorized to pay fifty cents to the 
wife or guardian for each day's hard 
labor performed. 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 
1910, there were 537 cases of non-sup- 
port in the District of Columbia Juvenile 
Court. Most of these delinquents were 
released on probation, not under the 
oversight of the probation officers of 



MAKING WIFE DESERTION UNPOPULAR 



485 



the court, but of the Metropolitau police 
force. The usual conditions are that 
each Saturday night the deserters appear 
at the station house of the precinct 
where they reside and pay a stipulated 
sum for the support of their children, 
reform their vicious habits, and seek 
to do their duty as parents. They are 
cautioned that the desk sergeant will 
notice if they have been drinking and 
that the officers on the beat, who aid 
the court in the enforcement of the law, 
will see to it that they lead industrious 
and orderly lives. 

In this way, during the year indicated, 
$30,808.28 was earned and paid for the 
support of their families by these married 
probationers. Of course, where the 
payments were ordered to be made 
directly to the wife, there is no record 
of these amounts in the court, so that 
the actual financial returns are much 
larger. In addition, the fathers who 
were committed to the workhouse earned 
$1,69''2.50 under the fifty cents per diem 
provision of the act, for the support 
of their children, making the total 
payments for the past fiscal year 
$32,500.78. 



Since the organization of the court, 
a grand total of $125,074.48 has thus 
been paid to families by delinquent 
husbands through the Juvenile Court. 
Of this amount $0,430 was ])aid out of 
the public approjjriations under the 
fifty cents per diem provision. 

Not the least valuable feature of the 
act is the provision that the confinement 
be at hard labor and that fifty cents a 
day be paid for each day's work per- 
formed while in the workhouse. When 
a lazy, shiftless man is imprisoned, 
it is important, to attain the end in view, 
that his time be not spent in idleness. 
Hard labor should form a part of the 
remedy. Enforced labor has awakened 
not a few to a consciousness of their 
ability to work, and the training received 
in the workhouse usually results in 
willingness to do any work that wnll 
put bread in the mouths of dependents. 
These men are made to realize that there 
is no such thing as "unskilled labor," 
although there are many "unskilled 
laborers," and that it is just and proper for 
them to strive to earn an honest dollar to 
meet the moral and legal obligations to- 
ward their needy wives and little ones. 



STATEMENT OF MONEY EARNED BY DELINQUENT HUSBANDS AND PAID THROUGH THE 
JUVENILE COURT, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, WITHOUT ANY DEDUCTIONS FOR COSTS 
OR OTHERWISE TO FAMILIES 



1 




Collected by Court 




Appropriations for 


Paid to families for 


from men under sus- 




Fiscal year ended 


payments of 


earnings of men 


pended sentence and 




June 30 


earnmgs 


under sentence 


paid to families 


TOTALS 


1907 


$£00.00 


$200 . 00 


$6,050.59 


$6,250.59 


1908 


£00. 00 


190.50 


21,888.56 


22,079.06 


1909 


i,WO . 00 


2,340.00 


38,319.65 


40,659.65 


1910 


£,000 . 00 


1,692.50 


30,808.28 


32,500.78 


1911 


2,000 . 00 








Seven months to 










February 1, 1911 




2,007 . 00 


21,577.40 


23,584.40 




$6,800.00 


$6,430.00 


$118,644.48 


$125,074.48 



"./».s/ irln/ 1015 should be taken o.v the year uf cidminaiion, Jeu\ if any, know, 
but a determined combination of wit and energy is working zealously in Boston, 
to stir up enthusiasm to ignition pitch, with confident expectation of the proudest 
realization that any part of the East has yet attained."' — Worcester Gazette. 




THE CITY GOVERNMENT 



A GOOD CITIZENS' FACTORY 



REV. R. J. FLOODY, D.D. 



DEAD CAT DUMP," the Island 
District of Worcester, is no more. 
Seven acres of tin cans, pots, 
kettles, bricks, stones, and ashes — yes, 
and dead cats too — have become seven 
acres of tiny gardens with flowers and 
vegetable plots, marked out by miniature 
streets and boulevards. The transforma- 
tion of the "dead cat dumps" of a hun- 
dred cities can be brought about as it 
was in Worcester, and the story of this 
new garden city movement may be of 
suggestion to other communities that 
wish to utilize a little surplus juvenile 
energy, and turn it back to the soil. 

Four years ago under the direction 
of the Worcester social settlement, a 
small army of neighborhood children 
attacked Dead Cat Dump. The well- 
named "sticker bushes" disappeared be- 
fore the onslaught and without exaggera- 
tion, several carloads of rubbish were 
cleared away. One evening two hundred 
children came from the public school, 
and a little girl of ten years won a prize 
for carrying off !217 bricks from the dump. 
There was a good reason for all this ac- 



tivity on the part of the children for they 
were working with definite ends in view. 
Each boy and each girl were to have 
gardens of their own when the rubbish 
was carted oflf and the ground prepared 
for sowing. Street sweepings and clay 
from newly-dug cellars filled up the 
hollows left by the removal of the rub- 
bish. In four seasons over 2,000 loads 
were deposited on Island Garden City, 
where operations were commenced. 
When the ground was sufficiently level, 
it was staked off into gardens ten by 
twenty feet with streets on two sides of 
each garden. These streets were four 
feet wide, while the main streets were 
six feet wide. The central figure of the 
city of gardens was a flagstaff upon which 
"Old Glory" waved majestically. 

The ages of the gardeners ranged 
between six and sixteen years, although 
frequently those over and under these 
ages applied for gardens and received 
special permits. 

The children paid five cents for their 
lots, this fee including five packages of 
seeds. They were given a red card, 



486 



A (1()(^1) CITIZENS' FACTORY 



487 



as a kind of deed, which entitled tlieni 
to a numbered garden and the seeds. 
All that they raised belonged to them 
and they could sell it or take it home as 
they saw fit. One boy told the writer 
that he sold $5 worth of lettuce. That 
same little boy was from a very poor 
family and when he applied for a garden 
he did not have the necessary nickel. 
He was told to hustle around and get 
the money. So he picked up old junk 
and empty bottles, sold them and paid 
for his garden like a man. A most help- 
ful feature grew out of this idea of owner- 
ship; for it taught the boys and girls 
the value of property. Boys are not 
bad usually, but only bubbling over with 
animation which always seeks expres- 
sion; and they often take other's prop- 
erty because they do not know its value. 
When they own something themselves 
and it is stolen, then stealing becomes 
"mighty mean." 

After the crop began to appear, some- 
thing else dawned upon the thrifty little 
citizens. The gardens must be pro- 
tected from thieves. So the city govern- 
ment was organized with a mayor, city 
council of seven members, garden com- 
missioner, local commissioner, water com- 
missioner, flower commissioner, animal 
commissioner, and forty police officers. 



This was no play affair. It was serious 
business because stealing affected their 
own property. And just here a great 
element was brought into play, the great- 
est in the progress of the race, — the love 
of power. Apply this principle to the 
boy and it works like a charm. When 
he is put in office and sees his name in 
the paper, it awakens his self-respect, 
touches the springs of action and arouses 
all the elements of manhood. In every 
city of this country, so far as we know, 
the boy is the enemy of the police. This 
is a serious matter, for disrespect to 
officers of the law leads to disrespect to 
law and then to crime. But in our 
garden cities the boy is the friend of 
the police and works in harmony with 
them. 

Another interesting feature in connec- 
tion with the Garden City is the zoo. 
Cruelty to animals used to be quite 
common in the neighborhood. I person- 
ally know- a little boy of foreign parentage 
who took a cat, drove nails through its 
paws, and then stoned it until it died. 
Another boy cut a kitten's eyes out and 
filled the sockets with sand. This was 
considered sport. We secured several 
rabbits, guinea pigs, foxes, coons, pigeons, 
white rats, mice, and squirrels, and gave 
them to the children. They had no 




"DEAD CAT DUMP" BEFORE THE TRANSFORMATION 



488 



NEW BOSTON 







^^- 



AFTER THE GARDENS WERE PLANTED 



sooner commenced to feed and care for 
them than the animals became the pets 
of the whole community. A band of 
mercy was started and has now a member- 
shi}) list of over 800, the largest in the 
world. We have not heard of a single 
case of cruelty for months, due largely 
to the influence of the little animals in 
our zoo. 

This last season we located another 
garden city in an Italian district called 
the Meadows. The Meadow Garden 
City also proved very satisfactory. We 
wish to refer to one feature among many 
that is worthy of mention. The writer, 
who was director, very seldom remained 
at the gardens after six o'clock in the 
evening. The children guarded and 
protected their 300 gardens, 5,000 flower 
plants, tent, animals and bees, from six 
to ten o'clock and very little property 
was molested. We were laughed at for 
planting flower beds along the sidewalks 
where the rough element of the neighbor- 
hood could destroy and steal. But we 
put confidence in the children, gave them 
responsibility with the feeling of self- 
interest, and they surprised us all. 
Scarcely anything was touched in a 
malicious way. 

There were in all over 700 gardens, 
operated by 800 children of twenty 
different nationalities. These children 
used 1,800 stakes to outline their gardens 
and planted 10,000 ])ackages of seeds. 
The judges estimate that the gardeners 
raised $2,400 worth of vegetables and 
increased the value of property in and 
around the gardens $40,000. Besides the 



vegetables they had about 8,000 
flower plants. 

Prizes were awarded to the 
children for good gardens, good 
conduct, and good services. 
They were given three medals 
and 144 auto trips to Bunker 
Hill and other parts of Boston, 
besides 227 other prizes. There 
were twelve perfect gardens 
according to the estimate of the 
three juvenile judges. 

Summing up we have these 
results : 

Physical: The gardens af- 
forded a means of exercise and 
taught the children to work. 
This exercise not being too 
violent or exciting brought into normal 
action all the motor muscles of the body 
and built them up. 

Mental: This work added much to 
their stock of knowledge. The nature 
of seeds, their growth, shape of leaves, 
kind of flowers; enemies of the gardens 
such as bugs, worms, flies, weeds, etc.; 
the nature of the soil, the seeds best 
adapted to it, the designing of the 
gardens, and their ornamentation, calls 
for much mental work. 

Moral : It gave the children something 
to do and kept them off the streets, and 
consequently out of mischief. Chief 
of Police David A. Matthews stated 
recently that during the last year this work 
was instrumental in reducing juvenile 
crime ten per cent throughout the city. 
That is equivalent to fifty per cent in the 
locality in which we specially work. 

Sanitary : Malaria-breeding holes were 
filled up and rubbish cleaned away. Dr. 
M. G. Overlock, says: "Fifteen years ago 
when I was physician for the Metro- 
politan Insurance Company, this district 
was so sickly and unhealthful that every 
application for a policy was rejected. 
Now the air is sweet with the scent of 
vegetables and flowers. This exercise 
in the open air and sunlight is a great 
health invigorator. This alone is recom- 
mended for tuberculosis, particularly 
in its incipient stages." 

Financial: The gardens i)roduced 
$2,400 worth of vegetables this year, 
and increased property value $40,000. 

Aesthetic: The beauty of the gardens 
has been recognized by all. The flowers 



A GOOD CITIZENS' FACTORY 



489 



and pet animals were a c-t)n,stant inspira- 
tion to the gardeners. 

Bnsiness: Tlie yonngsters were tauglit 
to produce something, which is the spirit 
of bnsiness. Also they were taught 
the business of gardening and farming. 
They gained in self-reliauce, grit, courage, 
inde])endence, persistence, honesty, thrift 
and manliness — the elements of a success- 
ful business career. 

Political: The boys made the laws 
and enforced them well. They learned 
the best methods of government, and 



got a training in responsibility to a public 
trust. This experience fitted them for pos- 
itions in thecity of the future. The garden 
city is a veritable good c-itizens' factory. 
If social work of the character of the 
Worcester (larden Cities is to be perma- 
nent there are three elements which 
should enter into its makeup — |)roduc- 
tive activity, acquisition of ])roperty 
and love of power. To these three 
factors may be attributed, in large 
measure the success of the Worcester 
exi)eriment. 




THE ZOO 



"B()stou-l9\5 is a serious and (ilrcddj/ highli/ siiccrssfiil niorciiwitt fo get 
together the various civic forces and organizations of Greater Boston so as to de- 
velop the resources of the city to the utmost 6/y 1!)1.) — the date being set for the sake 
of dcfiniteness of aim. There is hardli/ any limit to what mat/ l>e accomplished ht/ 
such concerted efforts of the best brains of a given community in behalf of the general 
goody — Education for February. 



SCHOOLHOUSES AS NEIGHBORHOOD 

CENTERS 



FANNIE FERN ANDREWS 

Secretary Boston Home and School Association 



The Boston Home and School Association has been closely identified uith 
Boston~l9l5 from its heginninc/. The executive director of Boston~\i)\5 is chair- 
man of the Committee on the Farther Use of School Buildings of the association; 
and at a recent meeting of the Directors of Boston~\9\5 it teas voted: " That Boston- 
1915 regards the further use of school buildings throughout the city as one of the 
most important things to be brought about during 1911." — Editor. 



P PERHAPS no phase of the educa- 
tional system is more widely dis- 
cussed than the "further use of 
school buildings." Many cities have 
tried experiments in this direction; some 
have emphasized certain phases of ex- 
tended activity, while others have pur- 
sued wholly different policies. Those 
activities which are commonly desig- 
nated under the term, "further use of 
school buildings," may be divided into 
two general classes, recreational and 
educational, both these terms being in- 
terpreted in the broad sense. New^ York 
City offers a model in her efficiently 
organized recreation centres, and also 
in her extensive public lecture work. 
Rochester stands out prominently in 
her plan for the use of the schoolhouse 
as a "social center," which combines 
both recreational and educational activi- 
ties. The term "social center," which 
has come to be used to express a more 
general neighborhood use of the school 
plant, stands, by no means, for any uni- 
form program. Many so-called social 
center activities in one city are in another 
considered a part of the regular evening 
school curriculum; and in spite of the 
difference in terms, the general result 
seems to be the same. 

In all this discussion, there is a dif- 
ference of opinion on two points: first, 
whether the school buildings shoidd be 
open for both educational and recrea- 
tional activities; and second, as to the 
degree to which any one neighborhood 
may use its schoolhouse. 

The Committee on the Further Use 
of School Buildings of the Boston Home 



and School Association, acting in the 
capacity of the Advisory Committee 
on the Further Use of School Buildings, 
appointed by the Boston School Com- 
mittee, has formulated a plan, published 
in the July number of NEW BOSTON— 
which outlines seven kinds of educa- 
tional activities, and designates that 
these should begin simultaneously in 
several sections of the city. These 
are: first, Parents' Association meetings; 
second, vocational activities — vocational 
lectures to parents, vocational counsel- 
ling to parents and their children and 
vocational clubs of young men; third, 
junior civic clubs; fourth, reading circles 
or discussion clubs and mothers' classes 
in cooking and hygiene; fifth, popular 
lectures; sixth, exhibits and description 
of jihotographs of pictures in the Art 
Museum; seventh, choral classes. 

As stated in the article of last July, 
the committee has no intention to dis- 
parage the use of school buildings for 
recreational purposes. 

Its principal aim was to develop a program which 
could be carried out in the immediate future. For 
this reason it was thought best to confine the plan 
to the present accepted usages of school buildings, 
for the pursuance of which no changes in the present 
construction of schoolhouses would be necessary. 
In adopting a ])lan which covers practically the 
whole city, the committee emphasizes the policy 
of gradually developing an appreciative use of the 
school buildings outside of school hours, and in 
that way to answer the real needs of a community. 
These needs cannot l)e determined suddenly; 
the neighborhood must be studied carefully in all 
its phases; moreo\er, the peo])lc tluMuselves should 
constitute an impi)rtaut element in developing 
a jilan intended for neighborhood improvement. 
The people, not tlie schoolhouse, should be the first 
point of approach. 



490 



SCHOOLHOUSES AS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS 



491 




EVENING RECREATION CENTER PUBLIC SCHOOL 188, NEW YORK 



The idea is not to use school buildings 
merely for the sake of utilizing unused 
public property, but to make this prop- 
erty lend its aid to the furtherance of 
activities which the people of a neigh- 
borhood wish to carry on. Of course, 
in the beginning, outside stimulation 
will be necessary in initiating activities 
which are necessary for the neighbor- 
hood's welfare; but as far as possible 
the lead should be taken by the people 
themselves. 

The plan which the committee offers 
provides for the building-up process, 
which is a fundamental principle in 
permanent, successful work. Boston, it 
must be noted, is peculiarly adapted to 
the carrying out of such a plan, inasmuch 
as it has local organizations in many 
districts which have already studied 
the needs of their respective neighbor- 
hoods and which, in fact, are now carry- 
ing on activities which come under the 
"further use of school buildings." In- 
deed, a development of these activities 
would meet the requirements of the 
proposed plan. The local Improvement 
and the Parents' Associations are very 
important factors in this development. 

Boston has much to learn from the 
successes and failures in other cities. 
Probably the first consideration is how 
to avoid developments which undoubt- 
edly have proved detrimental to the 
success of similar j^lans. But Boston 
must move, and in view of the careful 



study of the problem by those who are 
promoting the broader use of the school 
plant, the time is ripe for concentrated 
effort in this direction. 

The editorial in the February issue 
of The Independent on "The Schoolhouse 
for the People," points to the country- 
wide interest in this subject, and is well 
worth quoting in this connection. 

At the meeting of the National Municipal 
League, held in Buffalo a few weeks ago, the School 
Extension Committee laid great emphasis on the 
fact that our social organization is at present 
seriously lacking in economy. It pointed to the 
fact that we have all over the land a remarkable 
distribution of public school plants, capable of 
serving the people in a hundred ways, but allowed 
to serve them in only one. This topic is not at all 
new to The Independent, for we have been among 
the few to demand the wider use of these public 
buildings, and we are glad to see this sentiment 
growing. We are quite of a mind with the commit- 
tee when it points out that the public schools are 
at present the most easily available nuclei of 
such a well-considered country social organization 
as is demanded for both moral, physical and educa- 
tional purposes. 

In a paper on public school buildings 
as neighborhood and civic clubhouses, 
Henry C. Campbell, president of the 
Milwaukee Federation of Civic Societies, 
said at the Buffalo meeting: "It is no 
exaggeration to assert that making the 
schoolhouse the forum of the people is 
the chief hope of perj)etuating our re- 
public and ])erfecting its institutions." 

It was urged that the schoolhouse 
become our permanent polling places, 
not only for the convenience of the 



492 



NEW BOSTON 




EVENING RECREATION CENTER, NEW YORK 

Women's Literary Club, Public School 110 



voters, but as an educational movement 
affecting the sentiment of the children. 
This would save a city of the size of 
Buffalo $7,500 annually. Ex-Governor 
Hughes, Mayor Gay nor of New York, 
and Mayor Seidel of Milwaukee, insisted 
that the public school building, utilized 
as suggested, would not only bring the 
parents and children into closer relation, 
but would tend largely to bring the 
children into closer contact with public 
affairs, and teach them the practical side 
of civic life. 

Dr. Goler, of Rochester, would make 
the public schoolhouse a base for carry- 
ing out a health program, while another 
advocate would require the town library 
and the school building to be one. Dr. 
Leipziger of New York would have a 
public school lecture system universal, 
such as he has been efficient in estab- 
lishing in New York City. There is, 
of course, nothing novel in demanding 
that our schoolhouses become centers 
of recreation, but when we pass by one 
that is locked and bolted out of school 
hours, as most of them are, we arejre- 



minded that the reform is very far as 
yet from completion. 

The relation between the social center 
and the home can be greatly intensified; 
in fact, the home and the school should 
be once more what they originally were, 
one thing, wuth one purpose. At the 
meeting of the National Municipal 
League Professor Reber, of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin, noted the ways 
in which various communities, using 
their schoolhouses, may take advantage 
of their colleges and State universities, 
in the way of lecturers and libraries; 
while Rev. Richard Edwards showed 
how the schoolhouse stood right in the 
line of a rebuilding of religious power 
throughout the rural districts. Jf^ 

HThe National Municipal League is 
not alone in demanding a wider and 
more liberal use of our schoolhouses. 
The Playground Association of America 
and the Federation of Civic Societies 
in many cities are calling attention to 
the opportunity which the public school 
plant affords for accomplishing far more 
than is now done. 



The larger use of the schoolhouses a7id the organization of social centers are 
not novelties. They are the twentieth-century revival and expression of that demo- 
cratic spirit which has been vital at intervals, for more than two thousand years. — 
Professor Charles Zueblin. 



DISCOVERING THE PUBLIC SCHOOL 



EDWARD J. WARD 

Cliairiuan, Atlvisor in Civic and Social Center Development, Extension Division, University of Wisconsin 



WE have the public school plants, 
l)tit most of us no more ap- 
preciate what it means to have 
these possessions than the ])eople in 
Europe before IMH appreciated what it 
meant to have the earth. There was a 
whole hemisphere of incalculable wealth 
and opportunity which they knew nothing 
about. And in the public school plant 
there is a whole hemisphere of value 
imrealized, undiscovered, by those w^ho 
think of the public school plant as 
simply a place for the education, the 
teaching of children, with the added use, 
as an occasional evening school. 

But while the majority of us see 
nothing more in the school plant than 
an educational institution for teaching 
children, leading sttidents of political, 
social, educational, economic and other 
public problems are alive to the tre- 
mendous imi)ortance of the undeveloped 
resource in the wider uses of the public 
school plant. 

The term social center is sometimes 
confused with civic center, but the term 
civic center has come to have a distinct 
meaning as the city center, the convenient 
and beautiful grouping of the municipal 
buildings and grounds in connection 
with the town or city hall, the focal 
point, in which is expressed the unity 
of the city. 

The same impulse toward economy 
and intelligent, orderly arrangement of 
the physical city, which is responsible 
for the civic center movement, aims 
toward the convenient and beautiful 
grotiping of ])ublic buildings and grounds 
in the smaller sections or divisions of 
the city. 

The term social center is aiJi)licable 
to these neighborhood focal jjoints and 
the public buildings and grounds there 



assembled because, being more intimately 
connected Avith the homes of the people, 
their use .includes social activities, re- 
creational and educational, as dis- 
tinguished from the more ])urely ad- 
ministrative uses of the buildings which 
make up the civic center. 

The social center is to the neighbor- 
hood, the district, the smaller section of 
the city, what the civic center is to the 
city as a whole. 

The ideal, complete civic center has 
not yet been realized in any city except 
perhaps on paper. The ideal, completely- 
equipped neighborhood social center has 
not yet been realized, even on ])aper. 

It is high time that the city-planning 
movement should emphasize from the 
point of view of economy in physical 
construction, the neighborhood social 
center idea, for in some cities, notably 
Chicago, common neighborhood needs 
are coming to be met not by the exten- 
sion of the normal nucleus of the neigh- 
borhood social center plant, which is 
the public school, but by the develo])- 
ment of separate recreation buildings. 
The wonderful small park and field- 
house development in Chicago had its 
beginning as a separate develo])ment 
simply because the school authorities 
in Chicago, a dozen years ago, lacked 
wider vision of the ])ossible social center 
development in connection with the 
school plant. 

But while the term civic center is 
already appropriated by the one common 
city center, tlie essential basis of social 
center development is in the civic use 
of the school buildings as a place for 
the free discussion by citizens of the 
problems of democracy, a ])lace wherein 
the true government, which is the 
citizenship, finds expression. 



♦ From a paper read at tUe annual meeting of the National Municipal League. 



493 










THE TACOMA STADIUM ON THE OPENING DAY 



TACOMA'S HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM 

FREDERICK W. HEATH 



IN location, Tacoma's high school 
stadium is iineqiialed by any similar 
structure in the world. To the east 
across Tacoma harbor, teeming with 
the world's commerce, lie fir-clad 
hills. Beyond them rise the Cascade 
Mountains, snow-tipped. To the north- 
west are endless blue vistas of Puget 
Sound and wooded islands, and in the 
backgrovmd the rocky crags of the 
Olympic range. The high school grounds 
really form a promontory, and from the 
very seats of the stadium may be had 
more than 200 degrees sweep of vision. 
Three years ago the stadium site was 
known as "Old Woman's Gulch." Every 
incoming tide lapped up among a tangle 
of underbrush and fir logs. There, 
with their shanties clinging to the steep 
banks of the gulch, lived a number 
of old women, widows of longshore- 
men. Right on the brink of this un- 
sightly hole stood the high school build- 



ing, an imposing French chateau struc- 
ture. It was the utter incongruity of 
the two extremes, palace and jungle, 
that suggested the making of an athletic 
field in the gulch. 

At first the idea of building a stadium 
was considered impracticable. The gulch 
would make a good playground, but 
nothing more, so some men were set at 
work sluicing down the sides of the gulch, 
gradually forming a level field. In this 
way a fairly broad playground was made. 

After plans had been drawn for the 
stadium, several business men took up 
the proposition of building. It was 
largely due to their efforts that Tacoma 
now has the stadium. They planned to 
build it but public clamor forced them 
to give up their work. Finally the 
city took up the matter. The pro- 
moters generously [turned over their 
l)lans to the School Board, and some- 
what altered, those plans stand now 



494 



TACOMA'S HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM 



495 




FOLK DANCING IN THE TACOMA STADIUM 



in the completed stadium. The cam- 
paign by which the school children 
raised $"25,000 of the required money 
themselves, and business men $25,000, 
was intensely exciting, and showed what 
an aroused public interest can do toward 
securing public improvements. 

As soon as financial support was 
assured work was resumed on the gulch. 
The problem was then to compute the 
exact amount of earth to be moved. 
The stadium would be of certain dimen- 
sions. It must fit the excavations in 
the sides of the gulch, and the field must 
be level. With a steam shovel and with 
the sluicing pipes this was done, more 
than 180,000 yards of dirt being moved. 

Next came actual construction. Great 
concrete pillars were sunk to hard-pan. 
On these were built strongly reinforced 
beams around the horseshoe-shaped gulch. 
Then, supported by these concrete beams, 
were placed latticed steel girders, crossed 
with wire fabric. Over this material 
as reinforcement, the seats were molded 
in concrete. Thirtj-one tiers high they 
rise, and the top seat is fifty-two feet 
above the level of the field. Two broad 
stairways, also of reinforced concrete, 
connect the promenade with the level 



of the street, forty-three feet higher. 
The whole structure, after the concrete 
was poured, and the forms removed, was 
smoothed and given a cement wash with 
stippled finish. This softens the glare 
of concrete finish, as well as covering 
form marks. As a piece of monolithic 
concrete the stadium is one of the most 
remarkable structures ever built. From 
many other standpoints beside the purely 
mechanical, Tacoma Stadium is without 
a parallel. The seating capacitj' of 
32,000 is eclipsed only by that at Harvard. 
No stadium in the world aft'ords such a 
view of the field. This is due to its 
flaring construction. Instead of making 
the opposite sides parallel, it was built 
250 feet wide at the narrowest point 
next to the curve, and 400 feet wide at 
the open end. This gives each s])ectator 
an unobstructed view of every point in 
the field. 

The promenade, between waist-high 
parapet walls, follows the upper rim of 
the stadium. In the outside wall are 
eight gateways. These open to the two 
great stairways in the curve and to three 
paths on each of the sides. The inner 
wall has twenty-nine narrow gateways 
opening to as many narrow stairways 



496 



NEW BOSTON 



down the seat terraces. By building the 
openings and stairways narrow, crowd- 
ing in the promenade is avoided. With 
a capacity crowd, under ordinary con- 
ditions the stadium should be emptied 
of its 32,000 people in twenty minutes. 

The field itself is ample, containing 
three and six-tenths acres. A running 
track one-fifth of a mile long follows the 
outer wall of the field. A regulation 
football field and baseball diamond are 
laid out inside the running track. A 
feature of the running track is the 400 
foot straight course across the open end 
of the field. There the 100 yard dash 
is run, and both start and finish of the 
spectacular quarter-mile run. The curves 
of the track are easily taken at the fastest 
speed, and record time has been made on 
running events in recent meets. The 
baseball diamond is laid out with home- 
plate thirty-five feet from the inner 
end. It is then 362 feet by the most 
direct line from home-plate to the fence 
at the open end of the stadium. Little 
more could be desired of a field for mixed 
athletic sports. 

At night the whole stadium can be 
brilliantly lighted. Twenty-eight orna- 
mental iron poles placed about the inner 



parapet wall carry as many flaming 
torch lamps with powerful reflectors. 
On cables stretched above the field are 
twelve more lamps of the same type. 
All together they light up the big amphi- 
theater with almost the vividness of 
sunshine. 

Last of all, the Tacoma Stadium is in 
the very heart of the city. It is only 
nine blocks from the main business 
section. It is easily reached by four car 
lines, and crowds of 25,000 attending 
the dedication exercises were easily 
handled. 

Tacoma Stadium is comparable to 
nothing in the world unless it be the old 
Grecian Stadium. An ideal of the Greeks 
was harmonious development of the 
youth, and the stadium was their gath- 
ering place for healthful athletic contests. 
So Tacoma Stadium is Tacoma's ideal 
place for the physical development of 
her school children. It has the majesty 
of great size and symmetry. It has the 
subtle influence of superb natural beauty 
all around it. Such largeness in con- 
ception reflects the spirit of those who 
live about it, and justifies calling Tacoma 
Stadium a poem in masonry, an epic 
of the West. 




THE OUTLOOK ON PUGET SOUND 



SYLLABUS OF CHARITIES AND COR- 
RECTION CONFERENCE 

The Charities and Correction Conference of Boston-lOlo has chosen for its 
immediate work the "enforcing of j)arental responsibihty." Mr. Carstens' article 
on another page of this magazine tells how a strict non-support law would help bring 
the wife deserter to terms and eventually result in decreased juvenile delin(iuency. 
The broad program which follows indicates that the activities of the Charities and 
Correction Conference will not be confined to this one proi)osition of non-support, 
now before the Legislature in House Bill, No. 473. 



I. Feeble-mindedness, insanity and epilepsy. 

1. Adequate accommodations for the custodial care of the feeble-minded. 

2. A study to be made by medical and social experts, whether by some existing 
body or by a new state commission, of the problems relating to the physical 
and mental conditions of the inmates of the prisons and almshouses, such as 
social diseases, alcoholism, insanity, epilepsy and feeble-mindedness, and 
suggestions to be made by them in regard to this subject. 

3. A central registry of the feeble-minded who are at large in the community 
and of such individuals as are classed by medical authority as irresponsible 
or border line cases and who are not suitable to commit to existing institu- 
tions. 

4. Field research officers for the various institutions to investigate the causes of 
insanity, epilepsy and feeble-mindedness, including the social conditions 
previously surrounding the inmates and their family history.^ 

5. More adequate instruction in the medical schools on the subject of feeble- 
mindedness. 

6. A school registry of feeble-minded children not later than the end of the 
second year of school. 

7. A law making carnal knowledge of the feeble-minded girl a felony. 

II. Correction. 

1. More probation work and more effective probation work. 

a. More probation officers. 

b. Probation officers appointed only on approval of the State Probation 
Commission. 

c. A longer period of probation. 

d. Standardization of the kind of cases that should be put on probation 
or given a suspended fine. 

2. Adequate provision for identification of persons under arrest. 

3. Greater use of specialists in insanity and feeble-mindedness in court in de- 
tecting offenders' insanity or feeble-mindedness before sentence or commit- 
ment. 

4. More discriminating use of short sentences. 

5. More and different occupation for prisoners. 

6. More effective parole work. 

a. More parole officers. 

b. Adequate provision for securing work for discharged prisoners. 

c. A longer period of parole. 

7. State administration of county jails. 

a. Training schools for prison officers. 

b. Civic service examination for prison officers, including an oral test. 

8. More general use of suspended sentences in cases of fines under Chapter 'i'iO 
of the Revised Laws as amended by Chapter 338 of the Acts of 1905. 

497 



498 NEW BOSTON 

III. More effective methods of enforcing parental responsibility. 

1. Enforcement of greater parental responsibility. 

2. When a man is convicted of non-support he should be forced to labor in or 
out of prison to help support his family. 

3. Parents whenever able to do so should be forced to support their truant, 
wayward and delinquent children who are receiving public care. 

IV. Intemperance. 

1. Working out of the plan outlined by the trustees of the Foxborough State 
Hospital, i. e.: 

a. Curable cases to be placed on probation and sent to the State Hospital. 

b. Worthy but chronic drunkards to be sent to a detention colony. 

c. Vicious or criminal cases to be sent to the State Farm. 

d. Observation wards under the jurisdiction of the State Hospital and the 
detention colony to serve as centers for observation and segregation of cases. 

2. Better education of public opinion regarding the facts relating to intemperance. 

V. Illegitimacy. 

1. Extension of the use of non-support law to apply to illegitimate children. 

2. Better laws to place the responsibility on the father and to safeguard to the 
child its right of inheritance and support. 

3. Adequate resources and opportunities for the care of mothers and infants 
so that they may be kept together. 

4. Training for the mother so that she can support herself and keep her child 
with her. 

5. Social work in the general^and lying-in hospitals to awaken a greater sense 
of responsibility in the prospective mother. 

VI. Recreation. 

1. More real opportunities of inexpensive but desirable amusement. 

2. A municipal department of recreation. 

a. Extended use of schoolhouses. 

6. More extended use of the esplanade and the Charles River Basin, {. e., 

more seats, band concerts, refreshment places, provision for boating and 

swimming. 

c. Adequately supervised dancing platforms, music by the city band. 

d. Supervision of dance halls. 

e. Supervision of the theaters, moving picture shows, etc., and a better 
class of entertainment. 

VII. Teaching of cooking and hygiene in the home by visiting teachers. 

VIII. Employment for those who are physically, mentally and socially handicapped. 

1. Registration of the handicapped and study of the causes and methods of 
prevention. 

2. Employment bureau for the handicapped. 

3. Municipal training schools and industrial education, 

4. Workmen's compensation for industrial injuries. 

IX. A more comprehensive plan for dealing with the wayfaring man in this com- 
munity, including better and more effective co-operation among the agencies 
dealing with such men. 

X. Immigrants. 

1, Extended use of public schools in the evening for education. 

2, Education for adult immigrants in separate classes, 

3, Creation of evening courts for naturalization, 

4, More distribution of immigrants away from congested centers. 

XI. A civic building for the offices of public and private social agencies of the city. 



AMERICANIZING THE IMMIGRANT 
POPULARIZING THE PLAYGROUNDS 



^ 



.f."^- 



VyOJTON 





OL. 1 



P\JBUv5MED BYBOvSTOAI J915liNC- 
6 B£AC07^ ^T- DO^TOAI >\AvSJUv5A- 

CENTsS A COPY- ONJL DOLLAR. A 



APRIL, 1911 



NO. 12 




PREPARE FOR WARM WEATHER 



The All-Gas 
Kitchen 



Steam Heat 
by Gas 

Gas Comfort all 
the Year 

The Cabinet 
Gas Range 



The Gas Water 
Heater 



Now is the time to install the ALL-GAS KITCHEN in your home. 

By the use of the Gas Range and the Gas Water Heater the COAL STOVE 
with its attendant DIRT, DISCOMFORT AND WASTE of time and energy 
is ELIMINATED. 

The kitchen may be heated either direct from the furnace or the steam 
heater or may be provided with the GAS STEAM RADIATOR for use in 
cold weather. 

Thus, the coal stove is no longer needed for heat during the winter, and 
tlie COMFORT and CONVENIENCE of gas service are available all the 
year around. 

We particularly recommend the installation of the Cabinet Gas Range, 
which is so constructed that the oven and broiling closet are raised to a con- 
venient height above the floor. Some types have roomv warming closets as 
well. 

The Gas Water Heater supplies steaming hot water at a moment's notice, 
using 1 cubic foot of gas per gallon of hot water. 

On exhibition at the Boston Gas Appliance Exchange, 16 West Street, 
Boston. 




BOSTON CONSOLIDATED GAS 

COMPANY 24 WEST STREET 

TELEPHONE COMMERCIAL DEPT., OXFORD 1690 



NEW BOSTON 




A Chronicle of Progress 
in Developing a Greater 
and Finer City — Under 
the Auspices of the 
Boston-1915 Movement 




VOL. I 



APRIL, 1911 



No. 12 



CONTENTS 



NOTE AND COMMENT 499 

"GETTING TOGETHER" FOR 1911 499 

PROGRESS OF 1911 PROGRAM 499 

PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR MEDICAL LICENSES 500 

PLANS FOR BOYS' GAMES 501 

PLAYGROUND POSSIBILITIES IN BOSTON 501 

"MISFITS" IN HIGH SCHOOLS 502 

ALBERT P. WALKER 502 

BOSTON'S "UNGRADED" PUPILS 503 

BOSTON'S INFORMATION COUNTER 503 

THE FORSYTH DENTAL INFIRMARY 504 

CITY PLANNING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL 504 

PROPOSED LAWS FOR CONTROLLING THE FIRE HAZARD 505 

"AMERICANIZING" OUR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN Eleanor M. Colleton.. 507 

GIVING THE IMMIGRANT A FAIR START Daniel Chauncey Brewer. 511 

EUROPEAN CITY PLANNING Cornelius Gurlitt 514 

RECREATION ADVANCE IN MILWAUKEE Everett B. Mero 520 

MAKING BOSTON'S RECREATION SERVICE EFFECTIVE 524 

WHAT FEDERATION COULD DO FOR METROPOLITAN BOSTON .. .March G. Bennett 526 

SCHOOL CENTERS AS "MELTING POTS" Livy S. Richard 529 

THE BOSTON MUSIC SCHOOL SETTLEMENT Daniel Bloomfield 531 

BOOKS AS TOOLS OF BUSINESS G. W. Lee 533 

NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON THE 1911 PROGRAM 536 

BOSTON-1915 CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES 



538 



PUBLICATION COMMITTEE 



WilliamH. O'Brien, TndustrialRelationsConfcrence 
Miss Mary Boyle O'Reilly, Charities and Cor- 
rection Conference 
William H. Pear, Charities and Correction Con- 
ference 
George E. Roewer, Railroad Brotherhoods 
Leonard J. Ross. Indnstrial Relations Conference 
INIrs. .Tohn B. Suckliiifr. Youth Conference 
Mrs. May Alden Ward, Women's Clubs 
Miss Mary C. Wiggin, Co-operative Conference 
Myron E. Pierce 
Fred J. McLaughlin 

Entered as second-class mailer al the Boston Post Office 

JAMES P. MUNROE, Editor-in-Chief LEWIS E. PALMER, Managing Editor 

RAYMOND P. EMMONS. Advertising Manager 



Mrs. Fannie Fern Andrews, Civic Conference 
Arthur Burnham, Fine and Industrial Arts Con- 
ference 
Dr. Richard C. Cabot, Health Conference 
.John H. Fahey, Charter member 
George B. Gallup, Contributing Member 
Irving T. Guild, City Plan Conference 
Mrs. Emma S. Gulliver, Education Conference 
Solomon Lewenberg, Contributing Member 
AYilliam E. Litchfield, Business Conference 
Frank S. Mason, Youth Conference 




NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL DIRECTORY 



/^NE of the largest assets of the 
^^ modern civiHzed state or na- 
tion is to be found in its concep- 
tions, ideals and practices of public 
education. New England, from the 
early days of settlement, led the 
nation in its patronage of the 
schoolmaster, its devotion to schools, 
its educational legislation and its 
study of educational problems. 

NEW ENGLAND 

Published by the Boston Chamber of Commerce 



POSSE 

GYMNASIUM 
206 Mass. Ave., Boston 

draining School Department 

Two years' course for teachers of 
physical training and athletics. 

Massage Department 

Courses of two years, one year, and 
special private course with hospital 
work. 

Gymnasium Department 

Classes for men, women and children 
in all forms of gymnastics and 
athletics. 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRAR, Posse Gymnasium 



Franklin Academy 

136 Boylston Street 
BOSTON 

The Special Training School for Girls, where 

individual training is given in whatever 

studies the student needs. 



PER MONTH 



Grammar Grade . . $10.00 

(Arithmetic, geography, spelling, 
writing, reading, history and gram- 
mar.) 

Stenographic Course $ 1 5.00 

(Shorthand, typewriting, spelling, 
commercial geography.) 

Secretary's Course . $15.00 

(Stenographic and book-keeping 
grammar and literature.) 

All ages from 12 to 50 admitted day or 
evening. 



EMERSON COLLEGE 
OF ORATORY 

T?()R 30 years has been a strong 
-^ factor in the educational life 
of this country, as hundreds of 
teachers in colleges, normal and high 
schools can testify. Strong courses in 
Personal Development, English, Elo- 
cution, Physical and Voice Culture. 
No age limit. Send for catalogue. 

Harry Seymour Ross, Dean 

Chickering Hall, Huntington Avenue, Boston 



New Boston 



APRIL, 1911 



/^//////////////////////////////^////////////////////////////y//y//-/^/////r/////////r//^y///////y/////////////////////r////////////////^^ 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



"Getting Together" for 1911 

THE subscribers to NEW BOSTON 
are receiving through the mail a 
small pamphlet setting forth the program 
of Boston-1915 for 1911. Thousands of 
these little booklets have been prepared 
for general distribution and the readers 
of New Boston are urged to do their 
share in pushing this "get together" 
campaign by writing to Boston-1915 
for additional copies to distribute among 
their friends and in the organization to 
which they belong. 

The pamphlet explains the projects 
included in the program for 1911 and, 
in summing up, says: 

"Of the projects brought forward at this time, 
some of them can be done this year, some can be 
begun this year, and all of them can be carried a 
long way forward by 1915. But none of these things 
can be done or can even be begun unless everybody 
takes hold and helps. 

Some of these improvements can be brought 
about by legislation, others by ordinances, others 
by organized good-will, provided that behind the 
legislature and the city or town government and 
the good-will there is strong and definite public 
opinion. 

Public opinion does not grow of itself; it has to be 
created by those who have opinions themselves, 
who express and explain them, and who take pains 
to see that others understand. 

Every member of every organization in every 
conference of Boston-1915 can be, and ought to be 
a centre of public opinion for those around him or 
her, and during this year, 1911, public opinion 
should be mainly focused upon the thirteen projects 
which Boston-1915 has endorsed and is bound to 
help in carrying forward to success. 

The projects are important; organized public 
opinion can put them through; you as a citizen 
can help to create and organize public opinion; 
courage, persistence and determination will do the 
rest." 



Progress of 1911 Program 

SIMULTANEOUSLY with the issue of 
the March number of this magazine, 
the announcement of Boston-1915's pro- 
gram for 1911 appeared in the columns of 
the daily press. Less than thirty days 
have elapsed since; yet in that time al- 
most every one of the thirteen projects 
therein announced has either been promi- 
nently before the public or has made, 
more quietly, distinct progress towards 
definite results. 

Suggestions, schemes and plans get 
along very comfortably so long as they 
remain on paper. It takes courage, 
persistency and faith, however, to con- 
vert them into actualities. Above all, 
it requires co-operative effort to convince 
people in a relatively short time of the 
value of new ideas. It is the work of 
Boston-1915 to do that; and its success 
or failure this year will be the test of its 
efficiency. 

The project fundamental to most of 
those which the conferences of Boston- 
1915 have in mind, is the creation of a 
definite city plan towards which all 
agencies, whether dealing with commerce, 
industry, transportation, health, educa- 
tion or recreation, may bend their efforts 
in order to produce the best results with 
the least expenditure of money and 
effort. Con,se(|uently, the first plank in 
the 1911 program is for the creation of 
a city ])lanning commission. This re- 
(juires legislation by the General Court; 
but whether or not that body is this year 
ready to take favorable action, the con- 
ception of a city plan as the foundation 



499 



500 



NEW BOSTON 



of the city's growth is so impressing itself 
upon the people that important steps of 
some sort towards a city plan for Boston 
are certain to be made within the next 
twelve months. 

A city plan for political Boston cannot 
be made without full consideration of 
the needs and opportunities of the sur- 
rounding cities and towns. Therefore, 
as is made clear in the article by Mr. 
Bennett on another page, the demand 
for a city plan must go hand in hand 
with the demand, so vigorously advo- 
cated by the Boston Chamber of Com- 
merce, for a federation of the Metro- 
politan area. Opposition to such a fed- 
eration is to be expected, but it is not 
new and is due to fears which are wholly 
unjustified. The really significant fact is 
that the sentiment for the measure has 
increased each year and has grown, 
moreover, rapidly. For the Legislature 
to refuse to pass the bill presented this 
year is simply to postpone the inevitable. 

One of the chief advantages of a plan 
of federation would be to develop local 
civic interest not only within the com- 
munities outside Boston proper but also 
in the various sections of the city itself. 
To encourage such local interest, and 
at the same time to provide opportunity 
for its expression, Boston-1915 believes 
that the school buildings should be used 
as centers for most of the civic and 
educational activities in their several 
communities. The School Committee 
and City Hall both heartily coincide 
with this view; the communities them- 
selves are ready; it is therefore merely 
a question of mutual agreement as to 
ways and means. Such agreement seems 
to be rapidly coming about. 

Closely associated with the further 
use of school buildings is the project 
embodied in the fourth plank of the 
1911 program, that of securing a larger 
and better use of playgrounds and other 
recreational facilities. The Youth Con- 
ference has retained the services of a 
special agent, and is already conducting 
an investigation of the use already made 
of existing playgrounds, etc., for the 
smaller neighborhood play centers, both 
as to methods of securing greater pub- 
licity for the parks and thereby increasing 
their use; and also as to the efficiency of 
the supervisors and persons in charge. 



This investigation will supplement the 
study now being made by the Finance 
Commission by securing information from 
responsible organizations and individuals 
right on the ground — the sort of an in- 
vestigation that a conference of Boston- 
1915 is peculiarly able to make. 

Another essential development, closely 
correlated with that of a fuller use of 
existing educational and recreational 
facilities, is that of promoting the effic- 
iency of boys and girls by giving them 
opportunity to secure schooling while 
earning, in large measure, their own 
living. For this reason, Boston-1915 is 
profoundly interested in the bill to di- 
rect the State Board of Education to 
make an investigation of the needs and 
possibilities of part-time schooling. It 
has been favorably reported to the 
legislature by the Committee on Educa- 
tion and seems in a fair way to be enacted 
at this session. Considerable pressure 
was brought to bear on the legislative 
committee, and the influence of repre- 
sentatives of some twenty or thirty 
organizations in the city interested in 
this problem probably saved the bill. 

Space forbids taking up at this time 
the other planks of the 1911 program; 
but it is interesting to note that the bill 
presented by Representative Grafton 
D. Cushing, backed by the Charities 
Conference and endorsed by Boston- 
1915 was heard by the Committee on 
Legal Affairs at about the same time that 
the Joint Judiciary Committee was hear- 
ing a bill with practically the same pur- 
pose, presented by the Committee on 
Uniform Legislation. The duplication 
was discovered, a compromise that did 
not disturb the essential features was 
effected, and when this article appears 
the measure is likely to be under con- 
sideration in the House, with reasonable 
assurance of passage. 

Practical Examinations for Medi- 
cal Licenses 

EVERY medical school in the vicinity 
of Boston put itself on record at 
the annual meeting of the Health Con- 
ference of Boston-1915 as favoring an 
extension of the system of giving more 
practical examinations to applicants for 
licenses to practice medicine. Repre- 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



501 



sentatives of the State Board of Registra- 
tion, including Dr. Samuel H. Calder- 
wood, Dr. W. P. Bowers and Dr. Charles 
H. Cook, stated that the Board is doing 
all that it can, with its present facilities, 
to conduct practical tests for applicants; 
but until an additional appropriation 
is granted, the examples of Ohio, Nebraska, 
Minnesota and Colorado cannot be 
followed. In those states medical stu- 
dents seeking licenses must correctly 
diagnose cases of actual disease before 
they are allowed to practice on the com- 
munity. The ignorance of some of the 
students who come before the Massa- 
chusetts board was brought out by Dr. 
Cook, who told about a number of appli- 
cants who could not give the names of 
common surgical instruments or explain 
the use of ordinary splints. 

Dean John T. Sutherland of the Boston 
University School of Medicine, Prof. 
F. M. Briggs of the Tufts Medical School, 
Prof. T. M. Crothers and Dr. G. F. 
Gilbert of the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons spoke in favor of more practical 
examinations. A letter of approval w^as 
read from Dr. Henry A. Christian, dean 
of the Harvard Medical School. This 
question of extending the powers of the 
State Board of Registration is a part of 
the 1911 program of Boston-1915, in- 
troduced by the Health Conference. 

Plans for Boys' Games 

THE summer games conducted in 
1909 and 1910 by the Boys' Games 
Committee of Boston-1915 proved such 
a success that the newly organized 
committee has decided to broaden its 
program for the coming year. At a 
meeting held in the City Club on March 
10, it was voted to include baseball and 
winter games and sports in the schedule 
for 1911; and to endeavor to form a 
permanent athletic organization in Boston 
"for the purpose of furthering legitimate 
athletics and gymnastic games among 
the boys of the city from ten to eighteen 
years of age." 

The new features in the boys' games 
program require the direction and ad- 
vice of athletic experts and the make- 
up of the various committees having 
the work in charge constitutes a most 
important element in the success of the 
plans. These committees are: 



Executive Committee: Chairman, A. E. Garland. 

Athletic Committee: Chairman, Hon. J. B. Mac- 
cabe, E. E. Babb, Hugh McGrath, F. S. Mason, 
T. H. Russell, 2(1, N. G. Young, Col. G. B. Billings, 
Mitchell Freiman, H. A. Gidney, A. E. Garland. 

Summer Games Committee: Chairman, Col. 
G. B. Billings, N. G. Young, C. H. Carter, F. S. 
Mason, A. P. Keith, Don S. Gates, James B. Shea. 

Baseball Committee: Chairman, Frank A. Good- 
win. 

Indoor Games Committee: Chairman, Hugh 
McGrath, Carl Schraeder. 

A finance committee will be appointed 
soon. 

Athletic meets, games and swimming 
events will be conducted as during the 
past two summers. The Baseball Com- 
mittee will arrange a schedule between 
all teams that send in a written entry, 
and trophies will be awarded to winners. 

The Committee on Winter Games and 
Sports will organize indoor meets and 
arrange ice hockey schedules. Group 
contests wall be organized where possible, 
and a general group contest will be ar- 
ranged if desirable. This committee 
will also encourage gymnastic contests, 
indoor athletics and exhibitions by offer- 
ing prizes for the best exhibitions of 
gymnastics and calisthenics. 

Perhaps the most important part of 
the Boys' Games program is the pro- 
posed work on a permanent athletic 
organization designed to further legiti- 
mate athletics the year round among 
the boys of Boston. Other cities, notably 
Baltimore, have succeeded in forming 
such organizations, and definite results 
have appeared in stronger bodies, less 
delinquency and a better use of play- 
grounds. 

Playground Possibilities in Boston 

THE greater use of playgrounds and 
other public recreation facilities" 
will be the work of the Youth Conference 
as a part of the general program for 1915. 
At the annual meeting of the conference 
held on February 27 it was voted that 
for the present the conference devote 
itself to an investigation of the present 
use of playgrounds with a view to a 
judgment on the ])ropo.scd consolidation 
of the park, bath, playground, and music 
departments of the city. 

The Nominating Committee of the 
Youth Conference met on March 1 and 
elected the following officers for the 
coming year: 



502 



NEW BOSTON 



Directors: George W. Mehaffey, Rev. 
Maurice J. O'Connor, Miss Lilian V. 
Robinson. Executive Committee: Mit- 
chell Freiman, Frank L. Locke, Frank S. 
Mason, Miss Josephine Bleakie, Mrs. 
A. R. Marsh, Miss E. D. Adams, Mrs. 
Elizabeth R. White. 

"Misfits" in High Schools 

A GOOD share of the pupils in the 
high schools of Boston are not 
fitted for the work, and their pres- 
ence in the classes often hinders the 
progress of students who are studying 
conscientiously to complete a four year 
course. What provision to make for 
these "misfits" was the general subject 
of the last two meetings of the Educa- 
tion Conference of Boston-1915. The 
trouble seems to lie, in large part, in 
the grammar school courses which turn 
out graduates unprepared for high school 
work. At a meeting of the conference 
held on February 24, Seth Sears reported 
that of 5,191 pupils who would graduate 
from the grammar schools in June, 763 
would profit greatly if they could re- 
main another year and 515 are unsuited 
for high school courses. These figures 
were gathered from forty-eight of the 
sixty-five grammar schools of Boston. 
It was with the cases of those unprepared 
for high schools that the conference was 
particularly interested. 

George W. Evans, head master of the 
Charlestown High School, believes that 
the present system of instruction in our 
elementary schools is about as effective 
a method as could be adopted to dull a 
child's ambition. It was the opinion of 
Principal Albert P. Walker of the Girls' 
High School that a post-graduate gram- 
mar school would, to a certain degree, 
remedy the difficulty. Prof. Walker 
said that during his connection with 
the high schools of Boston he had seen 
hundreds of students ruined because 
they were called upon to do work for 
which they were entirely unfitted. This 
idea of a post-graduate grammar school 
was further discussed at a meeting of 
the conference on March 16 when George 
E. Murphy, head master of the Hugh 
O'Brien School, outlined the course that 
such a school should cover. Mr. Murphy's 
idea is the development of the present 
work of the elementary schools, laying 



particular stress on those features which 
may prove of direct assistance in the 
future employment of the pupil. Prof. 
Walker, on the other hand, believed that 
such a school should depart as far as 
possible from the routine work of the 
ordinary grades and devote itself very 
largely to the more concrete problems 
of every day life. 

A committee will be appointed from 
the Education Conference to make a 
definite proposition regarding the care 
of high school "misfits." 

The Education Conference has elected 
the following officers for the coming 
year: Directors, Mrs. Ella L. Cabot, 
Prof. Carroll W. Doten, Pres. A. Law- 
rence Lowell, Albert P. Walker,* Miss 
Mary E. Robbins, Oscar C. Gallagher. 
Executive Committee: Miss Caroline 
D. Aborn, Alvin E. Dodd, Mrs. Emma S. 
Gulliver, C. K. Bolton, Mrs. John T. 
Prince, Prof. James H. Ropes, Frank 
P. Speare, Theodore C. Williams, Carl 
Faelten, Prof. Charles F. Park, Miss 
Nellie J. Breed, Miss Frances Lee. 



Albert P. Walker 

IN the sudden death of Albert P. 
Walker, Boston-1915 has sustained 
a very considerable loss. Mr. Walker 
was one of the type of men that does not 
go into a thing until satisfied that it is 
of use to the community, and that 
through it the community can be helped. 
But when once convinced, he was a 
most earnest, conscientious and energetic 
worker. 

Early in the history of the Education 
Conference, Mr. Walker became its 
chairman, and at all the meetings of the 
Executive Committee, which he attended 
with the utmost faithfulness, his strict 
attention to the business before the meet- 
ing, and his quiet perseverance in bringing 
about definite conclusions, helped that 
committee to do some of the best work 
that was done by any part of Boston- 
1915 during the year. In a conference 
marked by wide diversity of interests 
and opinion on very live subjects, Mr. 
Walker maintained a judicial impartiality 
which succeeded in welding these diverse 
elements into a strongly unified body. 

*Deceased. 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



503 



He found in this conference a possi- 
bility of service wliich he was eagerly 
seizing upon; consequently his loss will be 
felt not only by the conference itself, but 
by the city at large. There is some com- 
pensation, however, in the knowledge 
that his administration of his office as 
chairman of the conference set a standard 
and an ideal which, upheld by his suc- 
cessors, will really continue his work in- 
definitely. 

Mr. Walker was born in Alton Bay, 
N. H. He was educated at Wesley an 
and previous to becoming a Boston 
master had taught in the Mitchell 
Boys' school at Billerica and in the high 
school at Grafton. 

He was an organist of ability, and 
had served in that capacity in churches 
in Middletown, Ct., Grafton and Newton 
for thirty years. He had also written 
books on English and edited other similar 
works. He was fortv-eight vears old. 



Boston's "Ungraded" Pupils 

THE problem of the "ungraded 
classes" in the schools of Boston 
becomes more and more acute with the 
growth in our immigrant population. 
Miss Colleton brings out this fact in 
her article on another page, where she 
shows that where once the pupils of 
ungraded classes were made up wholly 
of foreign born, today we find numbers 
of Boston born children, unable to keep 
up with the regular work, in the same 
classes with the children of non-English 
speaking immigrants. The possibility 
of separating these backward children 
from immigrant children was discussed 
at a meeting of the Institute for Un- 
graded Classes, held in the Quincy School 
on March 24. ]\Iiss Alice M. Roche 
of the Quincy School told of the teachers' 
difficulty in getting results from a class 
made up of half a dozen nationalities, 
some with no knowledge of English 
whatever and all with totally different 
standards. According to the present 
regulations of the School Committee, 
the number of pupils in ungraded classes 
is supposed to be limited to thirty-five, 
although as a matter of fact some such 
classes often have fifty ])upils and more. 
This overcrowding alone causes in- 



effective work, and the hundred teachers 
at the Institute meeting voted to recom- 
mend to the Board of Superintendents 
that the minimum number of ])upils in 
ungraded classes be twenty-five and that 
backward and mentally deficient children 
be eliminated from the ungraded classes. 

Boston's Information Counter 

HOW far is it from Maiden to Lexing- 
ton? 

Where can I find cross-section plans 
of the East Boston Tunnel? 

I want a bibliography on trade marks. 

Give me what information you can 
on the subject of efficiency engineering. 

These questions indicate the varieties 
of curiosity and faith which come through 
the telephone and the mails to the In- 
quiry Department of the Special Li- 
braries Association in the office of 
Boston-1915 at 6 Beacon Street. For 
the most part the department seems to 
be used for information on scientific 
and social work, but there is now and 
then a question put to it for definite 
use on a business proposition. 

There is one particular difficulty ex- 
perienced in supplying information, and 
that is the question of how much or 
how little to tell the applicant. Involved 
with this is the desire to refer the person 
to a sponsor from whom he can be 
reasonably certain of obtaining the ma- 
terial he is seeking. For example, we 
know of typewritten bibliographies on 
certain subjects which are available 
with certain restrictions. Sponsors pos- 
sessing such resources deserve to be 
guarded with some discrimination. Ac- 
cordingly, if a request comes for references 
upon a general subject without any 
indication as to the present knowledge 
of the applicant it has been the policy 
of the office to refer him only to one or 
two sponsors with a request to come 
again if the information is not satis- 
factory or information in more detail 
is wished. 

About twenty of the sponsors met 
March 8th in the Committee rooms of 
the Tremont Building to talk over the 
use of the bureau the previous month 
and to discuss plans for its development. 
These meetings occur about once a 
month, and henceforth they will be open 



504 



NEW BOSTON 



to anyone interested, whether connected 
with a library or not. 

The next meeting will be held in Room 
320 of the Tremont Building, April 12 
at 4 P. M. 

The Forsyth Dental Infirmary 

ANEW form of philanthropy, coupled 
with a significant advance in 
the standard of bodily care, appears 
in an important public institution 
recently founded in Boston, — the For- 
syth Dental Infirmary for Children. 
Two brothers, John Hamilton Forsyth 
and Thomas Alexander Forsyth, estab- 
lishing this institution as a memorial 
to their brothers, James Bennett Forsyth 
and George Henry Forsyth, have pur- 
chased a valuable site, given about 
$250,000 for the erection and equip- 
ment of a suitable building, and endowed 
the corporation with a maintenance 
fund of about $1,000,000. 

Much thought has recently been given 
to the subject of dental hygiene for 
children. A feature of the new regime 
in the Boston public schools has been 
the attention given to the physical con- 
dition of the pupils. A physician of 
high standing is director of physical 
training, a corps of school nurses gives 
close attention to the health of the chil- 
dren. The school authorities realize 
that mental development is largely de- 
pendent upon commensurate physical 
development, and in organizing a system 
of school hygiene it was found that de- 
fective teeth were the rule among pupils. 
Of something like 200,000 children in 
the schools of greater Boston, at least 
70 per cent need dental care. Of these, 
probably about 100,000 are unable to 
pay for the attention that they need. 
It appears that neglect of the teeth is 
responsible for the greater part of mal- 
nutrition and anaemia among school 
children, and that much disease is due 
to this cause. Moral and mental defects 
are thus induced. 

The Forsyth Dental Infirmary, offer- 
ing expert advice and care, free of cost 
to all deserving children from five to 
sixteen years old, aims to correct these 
evils. A strikingly fine building will 
house the institution. 

The Fenway district has for some 
years been the great educational center 



of Boston. Among the prominent in- 
stitutions there located are the Museum 
of Fine Arts, Simmons College, the 
Harvard Medical School, Mrs. Gardner's 
Museum in the Fenway, the New Eng- 
land Conservatory of Music, the Medical 
School of Tufts College, Symphony 
Hall, Horticultural Hall, and the Emer- 
son School of Oratory. More recently 
this district has been enriched by the 
admirably equipped Opera House and 
the new Harvard Dental School. Op- 
posite the Museum of Fine Arts will 
stand the important group, now build- 
ing, for the Boston Young Men's Chris- 
tian Association. 

The latest addition is the monumental 
edifice planned for the Dental Infirmary 
by the architect, Edward T. P. Graham. 
Standing in park-like grounds, it faces 
the pleasant Fenway landscape with 
wings that enclose a sunken garden 
where children can play while waiting 
their turn for treatment. A museum 
will be devoted to collections useful 
for instruction, and a lecture-room is 
designed for educating the public in 
dental hygiene. A founders' room will 
contain memorials of the Forsyth family 
and the library of one of the benefactors, 
Thomas A. Forsyth. There will be a 
consulting staff, a visiting staff of volun- 
teering dentists, and a permanent staff 
of selected graduates from the dental 
schools giving all their time to the work. 

City Planning before City Council 

A N order was introduced by Mathew 
■^ Hale in the Boston City Council on 
March 20, that the Finance Commission 
be requested to prepare and submit to 
the council a plan for the comprehensive 
development of the city to January 1, 
1920. The following lines of work were 
suggested: 

1. A determination of the permanent improve- 
ments which should be made on or before January 
1, 1920, in order that the city may keep up with 
the progress of the nation and of other cities. 

2. A determination of the approximate cost of 
each of such permanent improvements. 

3. A determination of the approximate amount 
of money which can be borrowed each year down 
to 1920 inside of the debt limit. 

4. A determination of the amount of money 
inside the debt limit which should not be considered 
in this plan, but should be left as a reserve to meet 
emergencies or unexpected needs of the city. 

5. A determination as to which if any of these 



NOTE AND COMMENT 



505 



permanent improvements should be properly 
made outside the debt limit. 

6. Arrangement of the improvements determined 
under paragraph 1, at the costs determined under 
paragraph 2, into a tentative budget divided be- 
tween the years 1911-1919, inclusive, in accordance 
with the figures returned under paragraphs 3, 4 
and 5. 

In presenting this proposition INIr. 
Hale contended that it is poor economy 
for Boston to delay improvements which 
would have to be made eventually — 
improvements that would cost more 
if continually put off. 

"It is really not economy to save money but to 
spend money wisely. I don't believe any city can 
advance without spending a great deal of money. 
I think the thing we want to avoid is the spending 
of money for purposes that are not wise or neces- 
sary, and that we should try to get our money's 
worth for the money we spend; but I am sure that 
the members will agree with me that we cannot 
have any real advance in the city of Boston unless 
we spend money." 

Proposed Laws for Controlling 
the Fire Hazard 

IN a brief discussion of the proposed 
laws* for controlling the fire hazard 
in Boston, it will be better to confine 
ourselves mainly to the objections raised 
against the draft bill presented by the 
Mayor's Commission. 

It was objected that the lathing per- 
mits required by Section 1 of the draft 
would retard building operations and 
impose a hardship upon builders. The 
facts are almost exactly contrary to 
this. At present a building inspector 
may have to go daily to a piece of work 
in order to see that improper construc- 
tion is not covered up by lathing, sheet 
metal and other material. Were such 
a permit required as has been suggested, 
the inspector w^oidd go when the depart- 
ment was notified that a building was 
ready and there would be no further 
difficulty about it. The importance of 
these permits from the fire standpoint 
is great. The "fire stops" called for in 
the present law are often omitted. These 
stops are as important in brick build- 
ings as in wooden buildings and there 
is no single method of preventing the 



* These laws are designed to guard against the dangers 
of conflagrration which are emphasized, in many cases, by- 
present methods of construction. In the North and West 
Ends the rear wooden buildings, combined with the dilapi- 
dated condition of buildings generally, constitutes a serious 
hazard. Large areas of wooden buildings in other districts 
are also a menace. 



spread of fire which is at once so inex- 
pensive and effective as this. The.se stops 
are often omitted by careless builders. 

Many objections were raised to Sec- 
tion 2 — that is, in regard to roofing 
material. The main objections were 
as to the cost which, on the whole, seems 
to be the weakest objection. The cost 
of some kinds of incombustible roofing 
is lower than the cost of shingles, while 
these same incombustible roofings are 
much more durable than shingles. The 
cost of slate, which was so much dwelt 
upon, is, generally speaking, not over 
fifty per cent more than shingles (this is 
a generous allowance) and slate will last a 
life-time while the best shingles are 
practically worthless after fifteen years. 

In this same connection it was ob- 
jected that it would be a serious hard- 
ship to require all shingled roofs to be 
replaced with non-inflammable material 
after 19l25. As has already been stated, 
the life of a shingled roof is practically 
never in excess of fifteen years. All 
present roofs will have to be replaced 
anyway before or by 1925. It will injure 
no one to replace them with a non-in- 
flammable roof. 

The newspapers have given a great 
deal of attention to the foundations re- 
quired by the Commission. They have 
apparently overlooked the fact that not 
the slightest change has been made in 
the present law and that mention of 
the foundations was made only when 
completed sections were quoted as 
amended by the recommendations of the 
Commission. In Section 3, which amends 
Section 39 of the present law, the only 
change made was to cut out the words 
"or with a balloon frame." This does 
not seem to seriously interfere with the 
foundation, the newspapers to the con- 
trary notwithstanding. The balloon 
frame was not permitted under the law 
before 1907 and it is not exactly under- 
stood why it was inserted in 1907. A 
properly constructed balloon frame is 
strong enough for all purposes, but it 
tends to spread fire. Careless builders 
often construct weak frames and this 
adds to the menace in case of fire. 

Througliout the objections to Section 
4 of the bill, which amends Section 40 
of the present law, the point was raised 
that builders would lose the land re- 



506 



NEW BOSTON 



quired for the additional set-back and 
that they would have to pay the in- 
creased cost for slow-burning construc- 
tion. This is not in accordance with the 
facts. If a building is set five feet from 
its lot line, slow-burning construction 
is not required and the cost of such con- 
struction is not made necessary. If 
the building is set within three feet of 
the lot line slow-burning construction 
is required, but the land between three 
and five feet is not lost. Five feet from 
the lot line is a very narrow limit from 
the fire hazard point of view for build- 
ings constructed entirely of wood. It 
is, moreover, no hardship to require 
slow-burning construction or even brick, 
as the rapid increase in the cost of lumber 
has already brought it pretty close to the 
cost of brick or concrete; and the added 
life of brick or concrete makes either 
form of construction more economical 
than wood in the end. 

The rather absurd objection was 
raised that Boston should stand for no 
such changes until they were made to 
apply to the entire Metropolitan district. 
In other words, Boston has just as much 
right to burn up as any other city or 
town. Looking at it from another point 
of view it was argued that the passage 
of such a law for Boston would create 
unfair competition and builders would 
operate outside of Boston. It is easily 
understood that building operations in 
a district like Metropolitan Boston are 
no more restricted by city or town 
boundaries than by ward boundaries. 
Building operations are naturally affected 
by laws and there is a possibility that 
some might suffer for a short time. 
The competition, however, tends as 
much to forcing the cheapest forms of 
construction, regardless of desirability, 
as anything else, and this is a distinct 
disadvantage. The speculative builder 
and the land speculator benefit by such 
an operation, but future owners suffer. 
Builders would not abandon Boston 
to such an extent as seems to be thought, 



because of the increased cost of transpor- 
tation. That will always tend to place 
outside districts under unfair competi- 
tion with Boston. 

It cannot be reasonably expected, 
moreover, that Boston would in the end 
suffer as much as was suggested. It is 
reasonable to emphasize the fact that 
the passage of the suggested laws will 
injure outside places and benefit Boston, 
— another instance of the need for 
metropolitan action. To whatever extent 
land speculators and speculative builders 
move outside of Boston, outside districts 
would be injured by the cheap form of 
construction and the undesirable condi- 
tions which always accompany them. 
While the approach of the land speculator 
and the speculative builder increases 
the value of farm lands it depreciates 
the value of urban lands. This was 
conceded by the remonstrants, who 
even went so far as to try to blame 
legislation similar to that proposed for 
the fact that land values in Dorchester 
are today about fifty per cent of what 
they were some years back. Such a 
law as has been proposed for Boston 
will protect ultimate property valua- 
tions in Boston. 

The objections raised were charac- 
teristic of all Boston objections to 
such measures as the one proposed. 
The community point of view is too often 
overlooked. As soon as some individual 
is touched in the pocket book (the 
pocket book represents all the vital 
parts of the anatomy of too many of our 
citizens) he commences to object. Ex- 
Congressman McNary made this clear 
in an address delivered by him some 
weeks back. If Bostonians are going 
to be absolutely unwilling to accept 
the community point of view we may 
as well make up our minds to stand pat 
and remain forever where we are. It 
is not pleasant to have to say it, but this 
is pretty close to the actual facts in 
regard to the opposition to the proposed 
measure. 



"AMERICANIZING" OUR IMMIGRANT 

CHILDREN* 



ELEANOR M. C OLLETON 



In accordance with the request of the joint committee from the Civic and Educa- 
tion Conferences, the Directors of Boston-Wlo voted to ask the State Board of 
Education to take into special consideration the needs of- immigrant children in 
the public schools. Miss Colleton s article points out the educational problem thai 
the immigrant brings with him. — Editor. 



ANEW and important educational 
problem was presented to the pub- 
lic schools of Boston some years 
ago, when a group of mothers with children 
clinging to their hands, — neither mothers 
nor children able to understand Eng- 
lish, — clamored for entrance at the doors 
of Boston's North End schools. Here 
was the first phase of the city's new 
task of educating the non-English 
speaking immigrants. To meet the 
insistent demand, the masters of the 
two districts in which the schools are 
located, under the direction of the School 
Committee, opened special classes for 
these children of immigrants, taught 
them English objectively and prepared 
them for the regular grammar grades. 

"Ungraded classes" the special classes 
were called, but, as a matter of fact, the 
children in these "ungraded" classes 
were normal and sometimes far above 
the average in intelligence. Their great 
handicap was their lack of knowledge 
of the language of the country, of its 
point of view and its traditions. Then, 
too, there were the home cares; for the 
early years of an immigrant's life, es- 
pecially of a non-English speaking im- 
migrant, whether adult or child, are 
filled with struggle and sacrifice, — with 
economy strained to the point of priva- 
tion and often of absolute need. In- 
deed, it has not been unusual to see babies 
in the ungraded classes, in charge of 
girls who were permitted to bring their 
small charges to school in order that 
these "little mothers" might not be 
obliged to remain at home too frequently. 

* Condensed by the editor of NEW BOSTON from a 
paper read before a meeting of the teachers of imgraded 
classes. 



The teachers in the so-called ungraded 
classes were unusual. A poor teacher 
would create havoc among these non- 
English speaking pupils. It takes no 
small degree of intelligence and ingenuity 
to teach our language in a limited period 
to immigrant children, for there was, and 
is even yet, no fixed source to which 
the teacher may turn for advice and 
direction. The problem was new and 
no preparation to meet it was given 
in the Normal School. To her own ini- 
tiative and the encouraging word of her 
principal was such a teacher left almost 
entirely. Nor was the teaching of 
English the only problem she had to 
meet. Family confidences were poured 
into her ear, — often pathetic, sometimes 
heart-rending, always interesting. Sym- 
pathy and counsel were expected from 
her. 

The subjects taught in these classes 
ordinarily corresponded to the course 
of study in the three primary grades. 
As the children progressed they were 
sent to the lower grammar grades, there 
to meet children of English-speaking 
families and to take up with them the 
regular American school life. 

As immigration increased, and it has 
grown greatly in the last eight or ten 
years, the number of special ungraded 
classes increased, until today there are 
fourteen such classes in the North End 
and thirteen in the West End. The 
immigration problem has also extended 
to the South End and East Boston. 

During the evolution of these special 
classes, one group arrived at the dignity 
of a specially, descriptive name, — the 
"steamer class," because its pupils were 
admitted shortly after their arrival in 



507 



508 



NEW BOSTON 




THE "STEAMER CLASS" AT THE HANCOCK SCHOOL 

Every pupil arrived after the opening of the present school year. None of the parents 

can speak English 



the city. In these "steamer classes" 
the method of teaching is largely ob- 
jective, and the progress of the children 
in speaking English is rapid and satisfy- 
ing, but the solution of the problem of 
preparing them for assimilation in our 
American life, of "Americanizing" them, 
has not yet been found. 

Where once the pupils of these un- 
graded classes were made up wholly of 
foreign born, now we find in them 
Boston born children. In fact, in the 
North End today, as a result of immigra- 
tion, we find that every grade from the 
first to the eighth, as well as the un- 
graded classes, is made up almost entirely 
of children who come from homes where 
English is not spoken except by the 
children. American ideals, traditions 
and standards are an unknown quantity 
in the homes; and consequently these 
children are absolutely dependent on 
the training they receive in the schools 
for all that will make them progressive 



parts of our civic and social life. Further- 
more, a great number of the children 
leave school to work at the age allowed 
by law and their training in consequence 
is very limited. 

In these later years, Boston has tried 
not only to continue hospitable to its 
new comers, but has become insistent 
in offering educational advantages to 
them. Today through the efforts of 
the Truant Officer Department, the 
superintendent of schools has on file 
a list of all immigrant children of school 
age arriving at the port of Boston, to- 
gether with an account of the endeavor 
made to locate each at the address given 
on the ship's manifest. 

For years, great numbers of those 
above the legal age of day school attend- 
ance have clamored at the doors of the 
evening schools, desirous above all things 
of learning English. Much has been 
done for them, but the greatest possible 
progress has not been reached by any 



"AMERICANIZING" OUR IMMIGRANT CHILDREN 



509 



means. There are two considerations 
which must be taken into account to 
bring about the best results. All non- 
English speaking adults are not alike 
in their needs and abilities. There are 
the more or less educated, and the 
illiterate, each desirous of speaking Eng- 
lish; but when writing and reading are 
added, without classification of pupils, 
discouragement is bound to result for 
both classes. And further, most of the 
teachers of the evening elementary 
schools are recent graduates of the 
Normal School and have no prepara- 
tion for the problems of these non-Eng- 
lish speaking schools, — day or evening. 

Now that the School Board and the 
Board of Superintendents have pro- 
vided institutes for the discussion of 
different phases of the educational prob- 
lems of non-English speaking immi- 
grants, it is appropriate to offer some 
suggestions for further work. 



1. Would it not be well to consider the districts, 
in which the homes are non-English speaking, as 
special districts, and to consider modifying our 
present provisional course of study for the schools 
in general, so that it will meet the existing condi- 
tions, making it still more provisional, at least for 
the present generation? 

2. Would it not be practical to hold the Insti- 
tutes for all the teachers of these districts, rather 
than limit them to the ungraded class teachers? 
With the exception of the steamer classes, the 
problem of all the teachers is the same, differing 
only in degree. 

3. Would it not be practical and helpful in solv- 
ing the problem, both for the day and evening 
schools, if the master and selected teachers of the 
Normal School were asked to participate in these 
institutes? 

4. Would it not be practical also to consider at 
this time the opening of a special department in 
the Boston Normal School — partly sociological — 
which would provide a course, obligatory for all 
graduates, by which they might learn, at least in 
theory, something of the problems, educational 
and sociological, which they must meet in their 
teaching career and which must be solved if Boston 
is to get any adequate return for the money spent 
in elementary education? 




THE PAUL REVERE SCHOOL 

Built solely to accommodate immigrant children 



510 



NEW BOSTON 



5. Would it not be feasible, also, to consider the 
utility of the school nurse in these districts, as an 
invaluable co-operating force between the school 
and home, and increase the number to two, where 
one is now asked to work miracles in even approxi- 
mating the work she knows .is' waiting ready to 
her hand? ....:/,. , . 

While we have achieved . much in th€ 
past, the problem of public sichool edu- 
cation as related to the' cliildreii of lion- 
English speaking parents has grown 
in size and gravity. Many of the pupils 
of our elementary schools, even those 
in the lower grades, will soon be heads of 
families; for these people marry young. 
The solution of giving these pupils the 
best of American life and ideals is still 
in the initial stage, — the children are 
still in a foreign atmosphere at home, 
permeated as that home may be with 
high moral ideals and traditions of the 
old countries. The family point of view 
is not American, in fact the knowledge 
of American standards is so warped, 
through lack of personal contact, that 



it is sometimes regarded as a thing to 
be avoided. In such homes to say that 
one is "Americanized" means that he 
has deteriorated. 

To the School Committee, the superin- 
tendent and assistant superintendents, 
who have recognized the size and serious- 
ness of the problem which large and 
increasing immigration has created in 
our school system, and who have pro- 
vided the institute as a means of help- 
ing in its solution, we owe thanks. 
I think I voice the sentiment of every 
teacher in these special districts, when 
I say that the individual wish of each is 
to do her part in the most efficient and 
loyal manner toward giving these foreign 
children a knowledge of the best there 
is in American life, so that when they 
shall have grown to adult age, their 
appreciation may be thus sincerely ex- 
pressed: "God save the Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts and its far famed 
capital, the historic old^city of ^Boston." 




THE SCHOOL NURSE AT THE HANCOCK SCHOOL 

This nurse also acts as a social worker among the families of school children 



GIVING THE IMMIGRANT A FAIR 

START 

DANIEL CHAUNCEY BREWER 

At the last meeting of the Board of Directors of Boston- 1915 it was voted that 
the question of making the evening schools more attractive to adult immigrants he 
referred to each of the conferences for approval or disapproval. Mr. Brewer's 
article describes the machineri/ cdready at work for educating adult immigrants and 
shows how it could he Inoadened effectively. — Editor. 



A CITY like Boston, a great entry 
port for immigrants, must see 
that its newcomers are given 
an opportunity to acquit themselves in 
a manner that will throw credit upon 
the municipality; for the general stand- 
ing of a city reflects the character of its 
population. 

Too much credit cannot be given to 
the Boston School Committee, the even- 
ing school directors and the very efficient 
evening schools for the efforts which 
they have expended in meeting the needs 
of Boston's immigrants,^both .children, 
and adults who are still teachable. As 
a result of these efforts the average at- 
tendance at the Boston evening schools 
compares favorably with the full returns 
from certain other states into which 
immigrants are crowding. But in the 
meanwhile it. is unfortunately true that 
the work is circumscribed because of 
inadequate funds. In fact, with proper 
financial support, there is reason to 
believe that the evening school, activities 
df the city might readily be trebled. The 
desirability of such an extension of work 
is apparent to anyone who compares 
the total number of non-English speak- 
ing people in the city with the number 
of those registered in our evening schools. 
The fact of -the matter is that newly 
ajrived immigrants are suspicious of 
ajiy enterprise conducted by the city 
authorities arid their interest must be 
stimulated. .This has been proved by the 
North American Civic League for Immi- 
grants with which Boston-1915 is co- 
operating. The league has developed 
a successful scheme for drawing immi- 
grants into the public schools,^a scheme 
that has been adopted by Philadelphia 
and Jersey City and experimented with 



by New York and other municipalities. 

It is an interesting story, — how the 
Civic League works with Boston's new 
citizens; and the success of its efforts 
are apparent enough to attract the at- 
tention of Bostonians to a practicable 
means for the first instruction of that 
part of our new city residents who will 
ultimately become citizens. 

The plan provides for entertainment 
through illustrated lectures in the public 
school buildings, — perhaps supplemented 
by music, followed by a ten-minute 
"Messages to Newcomers." Eight of 
these messages have been printed in 
English, Yiddish, Italian and Hungarian, 
on the following subjects: 

The United States, Its People and Its Laws. 

The Need of Learning English and the Ad- 
vantages of an Education. 

The Story of the American People. 

Abraham Lincoln, the Great Citizen. 

Naturalization. 

The New Home Land and Opportunities Offered 
in Various Sections. 

Washington. 

A Primer for the Alien Desirous of Becoming 
a Citizen. 

These little talks include suggestions 
to newcomers as to the manner in which 
they must conduct themselves if they 
wish to reap the advantages which their 
new residences offer, an earnest appeal 
to familiarize themselves with English 
and to secure for themselves or their 
children the educational benefits that 
the city provides, hints in regard to the 
preliminary requirements of citizenship, 
etc. 

When it is borne in mind that because 
of limited resources the municipality 
has been able to do but little in bearing 
the cost of these lectures and that the 
burden has fallen upon the League, al- 



511 




IMMIGRANTS IN ELIOT NIGHT SCHOOL 



GIVING THE IMMIGRANT A FAIR START 



513 



ready embarrassed financially in its 
effort to guard well-meaning immigrants 
against imposition, there is cause for 
congratulation that results have been 
abundant. 

With the returns that are in hand it 
is not unreasonable to ask the public 
to put the School Committee in a posi- 
tion to make a modest appropriation 
for the purpose of popularizing its even- 
ing schools and thus take full advantage 
of the League's voluntary service. This 
is the wish of the Immigrant Education 
Committee of Boston-1915 as appears 
by its recent recommendations. 

While facts speak for themselves, the 
testimony of experts is of value to those 
who have had no opportunity for ob- 
servation. 

Of the Boston work Maurice J. O'Brien, 
Director of Evening Schools in 1909- 
1910, writes: 

"The interest was so manifest that the lectures 
were a success from the very beginning and have 
proved to be attractive and instructive ever since. 
If I may illustrate, last year in the Bigelow School 
in South Boston, the series of lectures for the 
Lithuanians were so interesting that the large 
hall could not accommodate the number who were 
present on Monday evenings. Besides the educa- 
tional features, the Lithuanians themselves sup- 
plied music, both vocal and instrumental; and the 
instruction that they have received has made them 
better acquainted not only with civic duties but 
also with the social conditions that surround our 
American life. What has been said of the Lithu- 
anians proves equally true with reference to the 



Italian, the Jew, the Greek, the Pole and other 
races. The whole plan is a very important factor 
in the training of the foreigner when he first lands 
upon our shores. It has been the object of the 
North American Civic League for Immigrants to 
impress upon the foreigner that under the law here, 
all men are equal, and that the equality springs 
from a prompt and willing obedience to the law." 

Of the Philadelphia work Dr. Corn- 
man, Associate Superintendent of the 
Philadelpiiia schools, writes: 

"The lectures given with the co-operation of the 
North American Civic League for Immigrants are 
going very well indeed. The lecturers seem to be 
able to adapt themselves to the audiences and 
have created an interest that has materially' stimu- 
lated the evening school attendance. From some 
of the principals I have received especially en- 
thusiastic reports. Miss Agnes Kelly, having charge 
of the evening school in the Italian district and of 
social centre work in the same locality, writes that 
as a result of the most recent lecture, the one upon 
'The Primer of Citizenship,' four classes in natural- 
ization have been started. On the whole I think 
we have made a very good beginning and regret 
that the limitations of our appropriation for this 
work precludes undertaking this lecture work 
upon a more extensiA'e scale." 

Many of the later steps taken by the 
immigrant before he is assimilated and 
has a full opportunity to serve the city 
of his choice, must be on his own initia- 
tive. None of them equals in importance 
the earlier ones which shape his course. 
If we have discovered ways and means 
by which we may get the stranger started 
rightly on his way toward civic useful- 
ness, let us make the machinery at hand 
effective. 



"That enlightened governments only endure by making adeqvate prorision for 
the education of those who exercise the franchise icill he admitted by all informed 
Americans. 

i "It might he well if the negative of this proposition were championed. Then 
more thought would he given the reasons underlying the assertion. As it is, many on 
this side of the North Atlantic must believe in schools without appreciating their 
full significance. If such people under.s-tood that cherished political institutions 
could only be perpetuated by educating the public, they would provide schools not 
only for children but for the unnumbered adult immigrants who are crou-ding into 
their communities." — From the report of the North American Civic League for 
Immigrants. 




PLACE DE L'ETOILE, PARIS 

Example of wholesale cutting through of new streets in direct lines under the Third Napoleon 

' EUROPEAN CITY PLANNING* 

CORNELIUS GURLITT 

Translated by Sylvester Baxter 

Modern city planning ha,s reached its hic/he.st development in Germany and 
Mr. GurlitVs article gives a good general idea of the broad field covered by the Euro- 
pean city planner. It shoirs the opportunity for development that aicoits a com- 
mission like the one proposed by the City Planning Conference of Boston-l9\5. — 
Editor. 



GERMAN city planning in the 
first half of the nineteenth cen- 
tury, and well into the seventies, 
had regard principally to Vienna and 
Paris. Those cities gave two standard 
ideas: — the development of a circum- 
ferential street and the cutting through 
of new streets on a great scale. In both 
cases Paris stood first; Vienna with its 
Ringstras.se followed the example of 
what, in Paris, had already been carried 
out under Colbert. The boulevards of 
Paris were regarded in the nineteenth 
century as the ideal streets of the cos- 
moj)olitan city — and they are that in a 
certain sense today. 

With the Third Napoleon, Paris entered 
upon the epoch of a wholesale cutting 

* Excerpts from a paper by Cornelius Gurlitt included 
in "Der Deutsche St'adte" published in Leipsic by Friedrich 
Brandstotter. 



through of new streets in direct lines. 
Baron Haussmann began his powerful 
transforming activity, — the renovation 
of the city from within outwards. Bold 
architects had planned similar work, 
even in the eighteenth century. But 
not until Haussmann's time did all of 
those aims become realized; thencefor- 
ward new plans were contimially develop- 
ing. Since then, the cutting through 
of new streets on a great scale has been 
an essential character of modern French 
cities. These have been laid out either 
in the heart of the city, or directly 
throuiih it. 



The artistic system through which the 
new Paris ottered comiicnsation for so 
much that was destroyed, is that of the 
termination of streets by means of build- 
ings of special importance. This s^^stem 



514 



EUROPEAN CITY PLANNING 



515 



at first was slowly developed. Its 
realization by no means succeeded every- 
where, and in many cases the ideas were 
an inheritance from the eighteenth 
century. The artistic service of Parisian 
street planning shows itself at its best 
in the Avenue de I'Opera. This is 1,100 
metres long, of a stately width, and its 
vistas are terminated by the Louvre 
and the Opera House, — indeed, a cold but 
distinguished work of art, a pompously 
genuine expression of the Third Empire. 
How much more cheery and less tedious 
are the old boulevards with their crooked 
lines of seldom very expensive buildings! 



Street reformation often destroys much 
more than it serves. It should, therefore, 
be carried out wath the greatest foresight. 
The idea that for a handsome street 
rectilinear and parallel margins are a 
requisite should never more be the stand- 
ard. Some vigorous words of Mayor 
Adickes of Frankfort against the wish 
of several members of the City Council 
to reform the Trierische Strasse in that 
city in rectilinear fashion may here be 
cited: "The entire old city, admired 
by all friends of art, would be ruined 
should we set to work to revise it in 
rectilinear fashion," he said in 1898. 



"Such a procedure would be nothing 
less than barbarous!" In many another 
city the local authorities have not yet 
advanced to that stage of knowledge. 

Desires for the preservation of ancient 
city scenes are increasing. The growing 
love for what has become historical 
draws streams of tourists to picturesque 
old cities. The new buildings attract 
few strangers; the old cities invite them. 
Our modern hosts of pilgrims turn their 
steps toward Heidelberg, Rothenburg, 
Nuremburg, Hildesheim; not to the 
rapidly growing new cities. Hence, 
when we destroy the old quarters of 
cities, it is a transgression against 
self-interest, as well as against history 
and against good taste. 

The excuse which is made by friends 
of such street reformations is mostly 
one of doubt as to the value of the old 
buildings, — first, the practical value; 
then, also, the aesthetic. When the 
owner of an old house has the intention 
to build a new building adapted to his 
purposes, upon a valuable lot, it is difficult 
to hinder him. The proposed reforma- 
tion, however, incites him to such pro- 
cedure, and for that there is seldom a 
correspondingly strong incentive. Who 
assists the legal authority with advice 




RINGSTRASSE, VIENNA 

Shows circumferential street developmeht of the city, on the site of the ancient bulwarks 



516 



NEW BOSTON 



as to whether a certain building is worth 
preserving on aesthetic grounds? The 
answer can cahnly be given, — this may 
not come from the residents of the city 
itself. They almost always under-estim- 
ate the value of picturesque parts of 
their city, — just as the peasant is not 
sensitive to the landscape charm of the 
region in which he dwells. Persons 
capable of judgment nuist be sought for 
in other cities, for their vision is clear. 
And, above all, one thing should be 
borne in mind, — something new can 
be made any day, but it requires hundreds 
of years to produce something old! 
Therefore the old, even when it is in- 
conspicuous, has more distinction than 
the new, notwithstanding that the latter 
may be ever so splendid — and then, 
although for hundreds of years people 
have had the good sense to preserve an 
ancient structure, the folly of a moment 
is sufficient to destroy it. 



Antagonism to the unbearable tedious- 
ness of the systematically laid out cities 
has gradually gained in force. The 
words of Moltke, in which he celebrated 
the quaint ramifications of Vienna in 
contrast to the regularity of Berlin, 
became celebrated. It was in the same 
utterance that he further attributed 
inferior patriotism to the rectilinear 
cities of France than to those with crooked 
streets. No less quoted are the words of 
the great humorist, Oberlander, who com- 
pared the regular cities with the struc- 
ture of the lower animals, and the old 
cities with the forms of richly organized 
beings permeated with intelligence. New 
systems began to be sought after with- 
out much success in finding something 
better; hence, salvation was again sought 
in the blending of various systems. Thus 
there arose further city plans of the 
"handsome plan-picture" type. Up to 
today these are still in favor. 



A fundamental condition for such 
planning is regular topography. This 
was frequently overlooked. Thus the 
Dresden suburb, Plauen, develoj)ed a 
"handsome plan picture" for the region 
about the Bismark Tower, erected ui)on 
a height, but with the transfer of the 
geometric plan lines to the ground itself, 
horribly discordant conditions showed 



themselves. Nevertheless, the plan was 
carried out. The streets have grades 
as high as ten per cent. In winter, with 
glare ice, they are hardly jjassable. But 
since the plan has been authoritatively 
adopted there is no power to reject it. 
The planning of the "handsome pic- 
ture" led to j)eculiarly involved street 
relations. One might almost believe 
that considerations of arabesque orna- 
ment had influenced the city planner. 
He endeavored to bring together many 
lines on one spot, to create crossing points 
through which the lacework of streets 
was artistically worked up. 



The beauty of a city quarter proceeds 
not from the fact that one repeatedly 
observes the same scene, but from the 
greatest possible reception of diversified 
impressions. The finding of one's way 
in a city quarter is made easier by a di- 
versity in streets and open spaces, while 
two similar open spaces in one city re- 
mind one of those practical jokes that 
were characteristic of garden designs 
in the eighteenth century. How shall 
the stranger make it clear to himself 
whether he is in one place or another? 
It may be that when a later generation 
comes to build, the fundamental idea of 
a uniformity of open spaces, and therel)y 
of their artistic purpose, will be intelli- 
gently contradicted by means of intro- 
ducing the greatest possible variety in 
the surrounding buildings. 

Of the symmetry of design which con- 
stitutes the beauty of the plan picture 
one is not at all conscious when on the 
spot. Slight as its practical service is, 
equally small is its aesthetic. This 
"plan picture" is only too often nothing 
but a vain, and, for the most part, very 
expensive anuisement, not noticed at 
all when passing through the streets, 
but only while looking at the city j)lan 
as it ap})ears on ])aper! 

A quite different aspect is that of 
those city plans which, so to speak, are 
composed into the natural site with all 
its irregularities. And indeed it is getting 
to be more and more recognized that tlic 
decisive means to protect the city ])laii 
from monotony consists in seeking out 
the proper street lines upon this natural 
site. That is to say, the city planner 
may not force upon the site a previously 



EUROPEAN CITY PLANNING 



517 






Tl 






v^n 



•vMIC R 




;"^^b.li 



From'Jhe ArchUeklonische Rundschau 



STUTTGART 

An old residential section of the city rebuilt on the most advanced lines of German city planning 



conceived "plan picture," nitended to 
be transferred to the ground surface 
in question, but should allow hunselt 
to be led along in his ijlanning by the 
natural irregularities and i)eculiarities ot 
this problem. In the case of hilly sites 
the plan-picture is necessarily condi- 



tioned by circumstances difficult to be 
overcome. 



Modern city planning distinguishes 
itself from the older practice through 
the prominence given the artistic motive. 
That is to say: Just as an artist is able 




STUTTGART 

Modern Imsiness street 'showing pleasing effect of a curved thoroughfare 



EUROPEAN CITY PLANNING 



519 



to create the plan of a church or palace 
that is perfectly adapted to its purposes; 
just as, in such cases, it is his task to 
work with a conscientious regard for 
all demands imposed by necessity, and 
directly to give his work a worthy de- 
velopment — so artistic city planning is 
to be understood as that which does 
not work according to systems, but 
according to the specific conditions of 
the case in hand. Not artistry, but the 
appropriate development of all the ad- 
vantages that may be, with due regard 
to the specific problem, is the aim. The 
artistically creative city planner should 
seek out all peculiarities of the site, and 
emjjhasize them according to their in- 
dividuality; thereby, whenever possible, 
reconciling every contradiction between 
his planning and the aspects of nature. 
He should take into question the ir- 
regularities of the surface, the existing 
streets and ways in their natural con- 
figuration, the property lines and the 
single natural configuration, even if 
nothing but several old trees. Not- 
withstanding this, he should impart 
all practical advantages to trafl^c, to 
circumstances of habitation, and to the 
administration of individual properties, 
and finally he should offer the architect 
opportunities for interesting solutions 
of his problem. He should allow the 
conditions of the site to inspire him to 



achieve the most individual and di- 
versified solutions imaginable. Then 
again it nnist always be borne in mind: 
Diversity in the disposition of the plan 
gives to the architect opportunity to 
develop his ground i)lan and his facades 
in interesting fashion, thereby embellish- 
ing the city internally and externally. 

In the meanwhile, it should very 
easily be possible to introduce irregulari- 
ties in the conformation of the individual 
blocks without thereby diminishing the 
value of the same. Under certain cir- 
cumstances, one may thereby even 
furnish municipal architecture with 
significant motives for development and 
for artistic achievement. 



There are two fundamental ideas in 
relation to a fai--sighted and careful 
planning with regard to the width of 
streets. To remember that streets that 
have been designed too narrow will 
later on not be adequate for traffic when 
the city gains in population; and to 
remember that the city treasury should 
not be burdened unnecessarily by the 
acquirement of unrentable ground, thus 
increasing the cost of street construc- 
tion and maintenance. The means for 
solving this problem on the part of 
modern city planning lies in the most 
distinct separation possible of streets 
according to the manner of their use. 




HAMBURG 
A modern radial thoroughfare with freely disposed curves 



520 



NEW BOSTON 



And the solution is accomplished by 
means of the clear, and, in case of need, 
remorseless, laying-out of various main 
lines through the district to be developed 
and the dividing-up of the great blocks 
thus formed by means of streets whose 
situation is so chosen that a large traffic 
cannot come to them. 



It follows from all this that no system 
maj' claim sole j)reeminence; that here- 
with the task of the city i)laniier must be 
directed to setting himself free from the 
schematic systems that now prevail, 
and handle his work as that which it 
really is, — a branch of architecture. It 
is the business of architecture to solve 



the tasks presented to it in practical 
fashion, giving them the shape that 
corresponds to their nature. Whatever 
is artistic about them is developed from 
the problem. Whatever is coutradictory 
to the purpose, or which neglects it 
cannot work artistically to the puri)ose. 
Hence only that which is practicable 
can be truly artistic, truly beautiful, 
and only the beautiful can be practicable. 
Hitherto only too often have city planning 
and art been in opposition and thereby 
art has suffered heavy losses. Still 
heavier, however, were the losses of 
city planning, for it degenerated into 
an impractical and deadening schema- 
tism. Art, however, is always multi- 
formed life! 



RECREATION ADVANCE IN 
MILWAUKEE 

EVERETT B. MERO 

The Youth Conference of Boston-1915 has made the qnohlems of recreation 
a chief interest. One of the earliest committees of Boston-ldl5 to be appointed 
was on "Boys' Games" and by its efforts a very snccessfid series of athletic meets 
was held in the summer of 1909 and again in 1910. See NEW BOS TO N for 
September, 1910. A more extensive and comprehensive plan for using the parks 
and playgrounds is now under consideration as described on another page of 
this number. — Editor. 



IN Milwaukee the problem of muni- 
cipal recreation is being worked 
out according to methods suggestive 
to Boston. There, as here, two funda- 
mental questions to be answered are: 
how to secure greater returns to the 
people from the facilities that exist; 
and how to secure efficient, centralized 
administration of the various facilities 
now in the hands of different departments. 
The Boston proposition to create a 
Department of Parks and Public Recre- 
ation which shall consolidate the exist- 
ing departments of parks, public grounds, 
baths and gymnasia, music and the 
public celebrations division of the mayor's 
office is discussed in the present issue 
of New Boston. Milwaukee is not un- 
dertaking to consolidate existing depart- 
ments, but has a plan for a Board of 



Public Recreation and Social Education 
to be made up of representatives of 
existing departments that have to do 
with recreation. The plan before the 
Milwaukee Council, at the time of 
writing, provides that the new board 
"shall have charge of the work of develop- 
ing the civic, social and recreational 
resources of the city through promoting, 
organizing and directing the wider use 
of existing i)ublic buildings and grounds, 
such as school houses and grounds, 
park buildings and grounds, public 
market places and squares, and other 
public buildings and grounds which 
may be more widely used to the public 
advantage for civic, social and recrea- 
tional activities, during such times as 
these ])ublic buildings and grounds may 
be made available for such wider use 



RECREATION ADVANCE IN MILWAUKEE 



521 



;*||^^ 




'f^M 


i>p*, j^'' 








1 


a^ 






^1 



MILWAUKEE'S FIRST MUNICIPAL DANCE 



through the co-operation of the various 
existing city departments which have 
charge." 

The board is also to "advise in the 
further equipment of existing recrea- 
tion buildings and playgrounds, and in 
the planning and permanent equip- 
ment of such recreational buildings and 
playgrounds as may, in the future, be ac- 
quired by the city ; and to have charge 
of the civic, social and recreational 
activities which may be carried on in 
such buildings and upon such grounds." 

The proposed board is to consist of 
nine members, to serve, after the first 
year, for three years each. The mayor 
is to be a member, as representative 
of the Auditorium Board, and the com- 
missioner of the Department of Public 
Works is to be another. The remaining 
seven are to be appointed by the mayor, 
one each from the membership of the 
school directors, park commissioners, 
library and museum boards, fire and 
police commissioners, and three from 
the citizenshrj) at large. The board is 
to recommend to the council the appoint- 
ment of a superintendent and such other 
employees as may be necessary to carry 
on the work of the department, viz.: 

Promoting the beneficial use of public buildings 
and grounds in developing intelligent public spirit 
and intelligent interest in the common welfare 
through meetings of neighborhood civic organiza- 
tions for the presentation and discussion of public 
questions and such other civic activities as these 
bodies may care to undertake. 



Promoting, organizing and directing such social 
use of existing public property as shall tend to 
increase the spirit of neighborliness and good will 
among the people throughout the city. 

Promoting, organizing and directing the use of 
public property for recreational purposes, including 
playground activities, dramatic and musical ex- 
pression, dancing and other forms of gymnastic 
and play activity. 

Promoting, organizing and directing public 
holiday and festival celebration, and in such other 
work as, in the opinion of the Board, will tend to 
benefit the people of Milwaukee through the de- 
velopment of the civic, social and recreational re- 
sources of the city. 

Prior to the present administration 
in Milwaukee, that city's government 
had done practically nothing in public 
recreation development except to pro- 
vide parks and three natatoriums, which 
are claimed to be the first public indoor 
swimming and bathing places to be 
conducted by any American city. Right 
here is a marked difference between 
Boston and Milwaukee. Boston has 
provided municipal gymnasiums and 
associated baths not surpassed in intent 
by any in the country, and has purchased 
hundreds of acres of land for playgrounds 
and open air gymnaisums. Boston 
started both municipal playgrounds and 
gymnasiums in America; her weakness 
has been in development, rather than 
in creation. Milwaukee has not only 
to lay out a plan, get an organization 
to administer it, but she has to create 
the facilities, or take them over from 
private philanthropy. Several school 



522 



NEW BOSTON 



buildings in Milwaukee have also been 
opened with opportunities for recreation 
and social activities. A free lecture 
system using the school buildings was 
also begun. Still more recently one of 
the Milwaukee daily papers has con- 
ducted a series of free motion-picture shows 
in school l)uildings, to prove that the 
people will readily use the school plants 
when given an opportunity. 

But these scattered beginnings have 
existetl independent of any systematic 
organization of provision for public 
recreation. 

Early in September E. J. Ward, for- 
merly of the Rochester, N. Y., social 
centers, assumed his duties at the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin and gave half of 
his time to developing the social possibili- 
ties of Milwaukee. Soon- after he recom- 
mended the establishment of a depart- 
ment of public recreation similar to 
the plan just reported to the council. 
His ideas. are that there shall be, under 
this department organization,, a superin- 
tendent or director of recreation for 
the city, under whom will be district 
directors, each with several assistants 
in charge of-cliib organizations for men 
and boys, club organizations for women 
and girls, gymnasium activities for men 
-and for women, playgrounds for chil- 
dren, musical organizations, etc. ■ : 

This force of directors will have charge 
not only of playground and other work 
in vacation . time, and in hours after 
school, but also of school buildings for 
social and recreational purposes. They 
will also. arrange for holiday and. festival 
celebrations, the .developinent of public 
musical and dramatic expression. As 
a beginning, a' force of twenty-five people 
is .ex^jeqted to be employed, all the year 
roUnd, so.that the systemmay be worked 
out aiid carried on economically. 

When this plan was first outlined it 
w^as submitted to the mayor and members 
of the city government, and to heads 
of departments concerned, who ga\'^ 
it their api)roval. It was seen '.that this 
arrangement would avoid . duplication 
and also do away with" the difficulty 
arising from use of ])ark property for 
school activities or from the use of 
property within the jurisdiction of any two 
departments. It w^as also recognized 
that by this means a body of people 



whose prime interest is in public recrea- 
tion, would be secured, instead of plac- 
ing this work as an added burden upon 
a board or boards whose prime interest 
is in education, or park administration, 
or paving the streets. And it was seen, 
moreover, that this new board, made up 
of representatives from the different 
boards in the city, would furnish a con- 
necting link between all these depart- 
ments — a progressive stej) which in 
itself would be advantageous. 

So much for theory, practical as the 
theory seemed to be. When the financial 
side was considered, it was found that 
a substantial appropriation would be 
necessary to carry out this plan. Pro- 
gressive as Milwaukee has shown herself 
in most things, it was a question whether 
the people were awake to the needs of 
such supervision of public recreation 
as the plan :prop6sed. It .was apparent 
that a campaignof education was neces- 
sary. To carry this on, the Milwaukee 
Association for Public Play and Social 

-Education was organized, with the ])rime 
purpose of i)ronioting such action on 

-the part of the city as w^ould furnish 
adequate, well-equipped,: well-super- 

-vi^ed playgrounds for alltlie children, 
and develop the social Bud ■ recreational 
resources of the city, not only. in the use 
of public buildings, but also in that of the 
streets and public places for festivals 
and holiday celebrations. . 

At present, the assocfation has a com- 
mittee working out pjans for a sane 
Fourth of July celebration. ;The tenta- 
tive plan includes a pageant represent- 
ing some historical event," physical con- 
tests for prizesv folk songs ' and xlances 
by different nationalities -in .-the parks, 
band music, singhig of patriotic songs 
by choru.ses, aud the utilization of various 

-sectional playgrounds.. _ ... 

To attract public attention^ it. ."was 
decided by the .association to. hold a 

-series of three 'Saturday -evening dances 

-in the Auditorium, in which- the city 
ow^ns half the shares." ' The • first dance, - 

:hekl oh November '20', drew 1, GOO people. 
The niaVor ^Vas })rc'sent and the president 
of the association told the assembled 
people that tins wa.s simply the beginning 
of a movement to develop the recreation 
of the city on a worthy scale. Every- 
body was enthusiastic over its success. 



RECREATION ADVANCE IN MILWAUKEE 



523 



The second "party" drew 2,250 people. 
When it came time for the third as- 
sembly, the great arena or central hall 
of the Auditorium had to be opened to 
accommodate the 4,500 persons ad- 
mitted. 

The public dances attracted national 
attention and caused much misrepresenta- 
tion in the newspapers, which saw the 
spectacular aspect, but not the real 
significance of what was being done. 
It has been stated that on account of 
a loss of nearly $1,000 from the dances, 
the Milwaukee people were "sore at the 
administration." "There is no better 
illustration of the way that reports 
from Milwaukee are garbled and twisted," 
writes Secretary Ward to NEW BOSTON 
concerning this incident. "The fact 
is that it was not the intention to make 
money, but the committee in charge 
found themselves $650 to the good after 
the third party, and the people in Mil- 
waukee, with practically no exceptions, 
are not only in favor of but enthusiastic- 
ally for the public recreation movement." 

A little illustration of what organiza- 
tion and supervision or intelligent leader- 
ship may mean to a city in holiday cele- 
bration was given in Milwaukee last 
Hallowe'en. This is a time when a 
disorderly, boisterous celebration has 
been customary. A "sane Hallowe'en" 
affair was arranged, which resulted in 
what an observer calls "the quietest, 
sanest Hallowe'en ever spent in the city." 
The event centered in Lapham Park, 
which used to be Schiltz Park- — a beer 
garden that has helped "to make Mil- 
waukee famous." The park is now a 
recreation center that forms part of 
the system under development. Here, 



in the afternoon, the children of the 
neighborhood gathered, attired them- 
.selves in witches' caps, capes and gro- 
tesque masks and enjoyed games and 
pastimes until evening. Then they 
formed a parade, and led by a band 
marched to the Old Haymarket where 
an immense bonfire was built. 

Some such plan as this will be worked 
out for the coming Fourth of July. One 
feature under consideration may have 
been inspired by Boston's new voters' 
meetings. It aims at making the central 
feature of the Fourth a great banquet 
at which all the new voters will be guests, 
whether they have become citizens by 
naturalization or by coming of age. The 
hosts will be all those who are willing 
to pay for two dinners — his own and that 
of one new citizen. 

The representative of the Milwaukee 
park commissioners on the new board 
says: "We shall attempt to give the 
citizens of Milwaukee and their children 
better forms of entertainment than they 
have hitherto had. ■ We are going to 
offer the public better amusements than 
the five-cent theater which they now 
patronize." 

The representative of the school di- 
rectors says: "It is aimed to havethe 
public feel an ownership in public parks 
and buildings and to have it also feel a 
responsibility." • 

Isn't this a worthy spirit for city of- 
ficials to show toward such a movement 
— in Milwaukee.' There will be a wel- 
come quite as hearty for the same pro- 
gressive conception of the fuik-tions of 
a Boston department of i)ublic recrea- 
tion — when there is an understanding 
of what it would mean to this city. 



If all the people who waul Boston to be the most progressive citi/, the best regu- 
lated city, the city with the largest number of really successful )nen a)id women, 
would get together and work to make it so, the job ivould soon be done. 




TENNIS IN FRANKLIN PARK 



MAKING BOSTON'S RECREATION 
SERVICE EFFECTIVE 



PLANS for a recreation department 
to consolidate the Parks, Public 
Grounds, Bath and Music De- 
partments of Boston were described in 
the January number of NEW BOSTON. 
Since those plans were announced, the 
City Council passed an ordinance estab- 
lishing such a department. This ordin- 
ance was vetoed by Mayor Fitzgerald. 
"What I had hoped," said the Mayor, 
"in recommending the whole subject 
to your consideration in a communica- 
tion of an earlier date, was the forming 
of an ordinance which should not merely 
consolidate but reorganize the entire 
recreation service of the city." Since 
the ordinance was vetoed another draft 
has been prei)ared, designed to meet 
the mayor's objections, — to re-organize 
as well as centralize the facilities for 
recreation that have l)een so well provided 
by Boston; but which have, in the opinion 
of intelligent experts, been developed 
incompletely and only used partially. 

The general tone of the new draft 
suggests service to the people rather 
than a mere mechanical combination 
of the machinery of administration. The 



suggested ordinance embodies many of 
the ideas adopted in other cities through- 
out the country for the same purpose of 
recreation service. The plans and ex- 
periences of New York, Chicago, Mil- 
waukee, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Colum- 
bus, and several other cities have been 
drawn upon, and the desirable features 
in the methods of each city are incor- 
porated so far as they seem to meet 
Boston's needs and conditions. 

It is projjosed that the department 
of public recreation shall include two 
divisions to be called bureaus, and such 
other divisions as may be necessary. A 
single paid commissioner fpialified for 
the duties of the ])ositi()n, to be appointed 
by the Mayor, would receive a salary 
of not more than $.5, ()()() a year and give 
his entire time to the work of the depart- 
ment. One of the new features is the 
provision that there be an advisory 
board of seven members to serve without 
compensation. This board would con- 
sider matters affecting the policy and 
general conduct of the department and 
make recommendations for the guidance 
of the commissioner, but his decision 



524 



MAKING BOSTON'S RECREATION SERVK E EFFECTIVE 525 



would be final on all mattei's, except 
on the question of taking land for public 
uses, when the commissioner and the 
advisory board would constitute a joint 
board on park land wdiose procedure 
would be the same as through the present 
Board of Park Commissioners. 

The Department of Public Recreation 
would administer, supervise and regu- 
late "parks, public grounds, playgrounds, 
gymnasiums, baths and all other means 
for recreation now existing and in charge 
of the departments hereby consolidated, 
and of all means for recreation hereafter 
created in and by the City of Boston." 
The department would have the care 
and supervision of such parks or other 
non-taxable property or means for recrea- 
tion as might be placed in its charge by 
the city or by any department, organiza- 
tion or individual in Boston. 

There is a provision that the advisory 
board shall be appointed by the mayor 
for periods of one, two and three years, 
and that "so far as possible the mayor 
shall select appointees from nominations 
made for the purpose by educational, 
recreational, social, civic, patriotic and 
kindred organizations in Boston, who 
shall be invited by the mayor to make 



group nominations for membership in 
the advisory board, in order that there 
may be co-operation between municipal 
and volunteer recreational interests." 

A general superintendent, qualified 
for the duties of the position, may be 
appointed by the commissioner of public 
recreation to act as the executive of the 
department. The two divisions of the 
department woukl be the Bureau of 
Parks and Public (Grounds and the Bureau 
of Recreation and Physical Welfare, 
each in charge of a superintendent. The 
superintendent of recreation and physical 
welfare would have charge of the use 
of playgrounds, gymnasiums, baths, 
parks, water facilities and other means 
for recreation, including celebrations for 
which money is appropriated by the 
City Council or otherwise j)rovi(led. 
The Superintendent of Parks and Public 
Grounds would have charge of the con- 
struction and maintenance of all grounds, 
buildings and other property in charge 
of the department. 

It is provided that for each playground, 
athletic field, gymnasium, bath, beach 
and other institution for recreation, 
"there shall be appointed a person quali- 
fied for the duties of such position to 




526 



NEW BOSTON 



supervise and direct and promote the 
activities and usefulness there conducted 
according to the pohcy adopted for the 
department." 

A Director of Pubhc Music woukl 
have charge of indoor and open air 
music for parades, concerts, pubhc cele- 
brations, festivals and other purposes, 
and generally perform the duties 
now devolving upon the Music Trus- 
tees. 

A study by the department of the 
city's further needs for public recreation 
and associated matters is called for by 
Section 8 of the proposed ordinance. 
This investigation would cover not only 
recreation matters but social, civic and 
other forms of community welfare or 
betterment, including the further use 
of existing public buildings and grounds. 
A report would be made within three 
months to the Mayor and City Council 



with recommendations and a plan for 
the work of the department. 

For the purposes of the ordinance 
the term "recreation" is interpreted 
to mean the public service referred to in 
Municipal Bulletin No. 1 of the Massa- 
chusetts Bureau of Statistics, which is 
also the classification adopted by the 
United States Census Office at Washing- 
ton. These two authorities include under 
"recreation" parks, gardens, playgrounds, 
gymnasia, bath houses, beaches, cele- 
brations, entertainments, observances of 
public holidays, band concerts, etc. 

The ideas embodied in the proposed 
ordinance are in some instances radically 
different from those in the ordinance 
that passed the City Council in February 
and later vetoed by the Mayor. But 
the differences are mainly that here are 
suggestions of human interest rather 
than of routine combination. 



WHAT FEDERATION COULD DO 
FOR METROPOLITAN BOSTON 



MARCH G. BENNETT 



Project 2 of the 1911 Program of Boston-1915 endorses the Real Boston plan 
described by Mr. Bennett in the folloiving article. A federation of the forty cities 
and towns of the Metropolitan District would residt in mutual understanding and 
agreement and would prove most effective in carrying out the recommendations of 
expert bodies like the proposed City Planning Commission. — ^"''-■'— 



TO those familiar with modern com- 
mercial or municipal affairs, it 
is only necessary to describe the 
present situation in Metropolitan Boston 
in order to vividly impress upon them 
the many benefits to be derived by any 
form of co-operative and united action 
upon the numerous important matters 
which are of common interest to the 
whole community as a whole. If a great 
business organization were composed 
of forty separate departments, and each 
department had a separate system of 
control and regulations, and the heads 
of these departments never met to com- 
pare their views upon the business as a 
whole, or to compare methods of ad- 
ministration of their own departments 



-Editor. 



with the others, no sensible man would 
expect that business to succeed, unless 
it were an absolute monopoly that would 
grow in spite of itself. 

In Metropolitan Boston there are 
forty cities and towns that have numerous 
interests in common, and each city and 
town has a different set of ordinances 
or bj'-laws and other regulations. There 
are no meetings, and there is no provision 
for meetings, of the heads of these cities 
and towns, either for the purpose of 
discussing matters of common interest, 
or of comparing the many local regula- 
tions for the ])urpose of securing uni- 
formity and of ado])ting in the other 
towns such improved methods of ad- 
ministration that may have been de- 



WHAT FEDERATION COULD DO FOR METROIOLITAN BOSTON 527 



veloped by the experience of certain 
of the forty communities. The situa- 
tion is so absurd from an economic point 
of view that any argument against the 
co-operative movement must be based 
upon other reasons. 

Federation ah-eady exists in a peculiar 
way upon three municipal functions — 
sewers, water supply and parks; but co- 
operation between the cities and towns 
is utterly lacking even in these respects, 
because the departments are entirely 
in the hands of the state. The local 
officials have nothing to do with their 
administration, even in an advisory 
way, although the total amount which 
their municipalities will be called upon 
to pay eventually for these functions 
already provided for, will be approxi- 
mately $80,000,000. 

Is it possible that sewers, water supply 
and parks are the only functions in which 
Metropolitan Boston has a common 
interest and for which the co-operative 
action of the local officials would be 
valuable? 

Transit Facilities : The transit facilities 
of Metropolitan Boston have no one to 
look after them at present, and yet the 
matter of rapid transit is perhaps more 
important to the outlying towns and 
cities than it is to Boston proper. The 
Boston Transit Commission has no au- 
thority beyond the city limits. If Metro- 
politan Boston had a representative 
council, such as is provided by the Metro- 
politan Boston Bill, would they not find 
it imperative to take up the question 
of transit in a comprehensive way for 
the whole community? 

Industrial Education: When we speak 
of education, our opponents at once cry 
out that we are infringing upon home 
rule, but the Metropolitan Boston Coun- 
cil could easily co-operate to establish 
a system of industrial high schools, 
(which only three or four places in the 
district can afford to maintain inde- 
pendently) on a plan which would not 
encroach upon the independence of any 
town, and yet w^ould give to the boj's 
and girls of that town the kind of edu- 
cation that the future is sure to demand. 
Such a plan would give to the future 
Boston the trained men and women 
which it must have if it maintains its 
position as a manufacturing center. 



Factory Development : It is impossible 
now to work up a proper and systematic 
plan for the general development of our 
manufacturing possibilities because there 
are forty patches to cover and there is 
no official body whatever before whom 
the plans can be laid to be co-ordinated 
and made into a working scheme. The 
Metropolitan Boston Council would be 
such a body, and it could not overlook 
the opportimities in this direction, nor 
the demands upon it for such action. 

Direct Highways: There is not one 
direct highway leading out of Boston, 
and the only one that approximates it 
is Washington Street. There should be 
straight, broad, level highways extend- 
ing in all directions from the business 
center. They are urgently needed now, 
and with the rapid development of the 
auto-truck they will be indispensable 
in the near future. Their construction 
requires co-operative action, and the 
Metropolitan Boston Council could and 
would be called upon to take such action 
and make and lay plans before the legis- 
lature for such highways. 

Dock Development : The development 
of our water front is as important for 
Lynn and Weymouth as it is for Boston 
city, and in order to bring about such 
development in a comprehensive way 
it must be considered co-operatively. 

Industrial Railways: This is a question 
which is linked with the factory develop- 
ment and the dock questions, and it re- 
quires the united action of all of the 
cities and towns as a matter of common 
interest to all. 

Uniform Building Laws: The evils of 
our present building laws cannot be 
solved by any one city or town acting 
independently. If any one adopts more 
sti'ingent precautions against fires, it 
will increase the cost of building and the 
investor will be obliged to put his money 
mto the development of the neighboring 
town which has not put its standard so 
high. No investor can afi'ord to pay 
from twenty-five per cent to one hundred 
per cent more for building when he has 
to compete in rents with the lower cost 
a few blocks away in another city. Act- 
ing together, through the council, reason- 
ably uniform laws can be passed, and 
the whole community safeguarded against 
the future disastrous conflagrations which 



528 



NEW BOSTON 



are sure to come under present conditions. 
Improved housing for the poor is in the 
same situation. When you destroy 
the bad tenement in one place, it appears 
across tlie Hue. 

Uniform Health Regulations: There is 
great dissimilarity in this respect now, 
and by a simple process of comparison, 
the council, without interfering with 
the rights of any place, could accom- 
plish substantial uniformity. 

Uniform Police Regulations: There 
are forty different sets of police regula- 
tions in Metropolitan Boston. Men 
are petty criminals in one city for acts 
which are perfectly lawful in others just 
across an arbitrary and invisible line. 
The same improvement could be made 
here as in the health regulations, and 
in addition the very important improve- 
ment of establishing efficient co-opera- 
tion by the police through the whole 
district, without in any w^ay affecting 
local control. 

Co-operative Fire Departments: Some 
co-operation already exists in this direc- 
tion, but it is far from general or effective, 
and by means of the meetings of the 
council great improvements could be 
made for the benefit of all connnunities 
and the injury of none. 

There are many minor matters in 
which the council may, by co-operation, 
do much to advance the interests of 
the whole citj% and several important 
matters, like the generally planning of 
the city for future development, but 
enough instances have been cited to 
show the great benefits that would flow 
from this representative assembly of 
the executive heads of the forty cities 
and towns which makeup "Real" Boston. 
These benefits are all concrete and 
definite, and there is another of a less 



tangible, but no less important character. 
This is to correct, as far as possible, the 
injustice of allowing Boston to stand 
as the fifth city of the United States and 
the twenty -sixth city of the world, when 
she is really the fourth city of the United 
States (more than twice as large as St. 
Louis, now ranked fourth) and the tenth 
city of the world. As an advertising 
pro})osition alone, this would be worth 
more to Boston than a million dollars 
spent in newspaper space and circu- 
lars. 

The answer that the opponents make 
to this is that they are afraid that if 
co-operation is begun, annexation will 
follow. It will not. The state will 
not annex against the will of the com- 
munities, and the chief executives of 
the forty cities and towns of Metropolitan 
Boston will be the last men in the whole 
district to advocate or consent to annexa- 
tion. They will therefore strive to accom- 
plish by co-operation all of the benefits 
that could be produced under consolida- 
tion; and it will be possible for them to 
do this without infringing upon the 
local autonomy of any city or town in 
"Real" Boston. There are so many 
things that Boston ought to do in order 
to place itself in line with the powerful, 
growing commercial centers of the world, 
that it is startling to enumerate them, 
and yet there are a few people who are 
so fearful of co-operating and working 
together with their neighbors, because 
they are afraid that this contact will 
lead to a closer bond between them, 
that they are willing to let things remain 
undone that are of such great conse- 
quence to us now and hereafter, rather 
than consent to this plan of federation 
in which there is no threat of loss of 
identity or autonomy to their towns. 



No city has more latent energy and good ivill than Boston. It possesses more 
than sixteen hundred organizations v^orlcing in rarions directions for the city's 
good, but most of them irere carrying on their activities individually irithout regard 
to the others and often at cross purposes tcith them. They needed to he brought to- 
gether and to have a clearing house through vhich their good-u-ill might be co-ordinated 
and made effective. This co-operation is ivhat Boston-1915 has organized during 
the past year. 



SCHOOL CENTERS AS "MELTING 

POTS" 

LIVY S. RICHARD 

The school buildings in the city of Boston have cost more than $20,000,000, 
and they are used about a quarter of time. To organize a larger nse of schonlhoitses 
is one of the most important portions of the Boston~\9\5 program for 1011. Mr. 
Richard tells how other cities are putting their schoolhouses to day-round use. — 
Editor. 



TWO reasons prompt the move- 
ment for a larger use of public 
school buildings — economy and 
efficiency. The first is obvious. The 
school plant is one of the public's largest 
investments, and it lies idle during most 
evenings and always on Sundays. The 
problem is to find the way to the most 
efficient additional use. 

In New York evening lectures have 
proved attractive and useful. Con- 
ducted as a regular feature of the edu- 
cational service, they draw in many 
adults ambitious for widened mental 
horizons. Boston, however, is lecture- 
tired. Existing opportunities to hear 
many of the best equipped lecturers are 
so abundant that to open the school 
houses for conventional lecture courses 
might suggest superfluity. A practice 
in Milwaukee offers a larger appeal. 
There moving pictures have been intro- 
duced, almost always to "standing room 
only." Fittingly chosen and interi)reted, 
they afford much wholesome entertain- 
ment with instruction. That this plan 
introduces competition with a host of 
cheap theaters, some not over careful 
in their choice of films, constitutes no 
serious objection. 

In Rochester, N. Y., a broader experi- 
ment has been in progress. The Roch- 
ester "social center" is more easily de- 
scribed than understood. What it does 
in detail gives an imperfect picture of 
the spirit which it tends to develop, — 
the spirit of real democracy. Imagine 
in one assembly room on a Saturday 
night a capacity audience of 1,200 
persons — shop girls, mill and factory 
workers, university professors with wives 
and children, settlement enthusiasts, new- 



ly arrived immigrants and a sprinkling 
of the endowed from homes of wealth — 
singing together with the zeal of school 
children hymns of brotherhood, after- 
ward listening intently to a speaker 
with some vital message — it may be 
Dr. Woods Hutchinson, with a broad- 
side of medical insurgency, or Mayor 
Brand Whitlock of Toledo, O., telling 
why he believes in a clubless police, or 
Dr. Goler, with pictured samples of 
bad housing and an appeal for a slumless 
future, or Joseph Fels preaching the 
single tax; but it is always someone who 
offers a new angle of thought and an 
outpouring of special knowledge, — and 
at the end looking on with sympathy 
or merrily participating with the younger 
folk in the dance with which these Satur- 
day evening meetings at "No. 9 Social 
Center" come to a close; and you can 
possibly realize something of the at- 
mosphere. 

These school centers are melting pots 
in which the distinctions that elsewhere 
separate men and women dissolve. Their 
activities are various. There are gn)ui)s 
for gymnastic drill, followed usually by 
plunges in the swimming ])aol or visits 
to tlie shower baths— for in Rochester 
the newer grade school buildings have 
nuich of the i)arai)hernalia of club houses. 
There are reading groups making use of 
the school and circulating library. There 
are groups at table gan;es. There are 
debating clul)s of young women and de- 
bating clubs of young men^the latter 
often transformed street "gangs," once 
sources of anxiety to the neighborhood. 
There are the federated civic clubs, meet- 
ing at frequent intervals for the freest 
discussion of public questions, lyceum 



529 



530 



NEW BOSTON 




WHAT A "CIVIC CLUB" MEANS IN ROCHESTER 



fashion, but without dues and open on 
terms of exact equahty to all who may 
care to attend. And there are art clubs 
and volunteer orchestras and free dental 
clinics and traveling art exhibits, and it 
has been proposed to have, also, free 
legal aid offices and sub-stations of the 
Board of Health and even the use of the 
school basements as polling places; but 
these are possibilities not yet established. 
The centers have social interchanges. 
One time it is triangular debate for a 
trophy; another a challenge game of 
indoor baseball; or a reception, with 
special program and light refreshments. 
The federated civic clubs, which re- 
semble Boston's Improvement Associa- 
tions, send delegates to a monthly con- 
gress where standing committees closely 
scrutinize the progress of municipal legis- 
lation and, by their rei)orts, as endorsed 
by the delegated body, exert some in- 
fluence upon local government. Care 
was taken in Rochester to organize on 
a non-partisan and non-sectarian basis. 
The president of the League of Civic 
Clubs was a respected judge; among the 
officers were Protestants, Catholics and 
Jews, and IJie delegales reflected every 
phase of political opinion and included 



two representatives of the negro race. 
Discussions in these clubs were often 
animated but, subject to parliamentary 
rules, there was complete freedom of 
speech; and it was wonderful how much 
alike the human nature of ordinarily 
separated attendants was when once 
they came together on a footing of 
equality and in good will stared each 
other in the face. 

We have in Boston a wide gap between 
"high brows" and "low brows"; between 
the tradition-encumbered ])osterity of 
the occupants of the "Mayflower" and 
the more recent — and numerous — immi- 
grants via the steerage. It is desirable 
that these extremes should get better 
acquainted. In a democracy they must 
either work together or mutually suffer 
in consequence of misunderstandings. 
I am not sure that the establishment 
in the public schools of Boston of centers 
of democracy for adults would do much 
to T Americanize the native and alien 
unassimilated of this generation, but it 
would be a fine thing for the rest of us; 
and in time it might prove the salvation 
of our democratic experiment, beset 
as it is by j)rejudices of sect, race and 
class. 




I>raTHE MOZART CLUB 



THE BOSTON MUSIC SCHOOL 
SETTLEMENT 



DANIEL BLOOMFIELD 



The Syllabus of the Fine and Industrial Arts Conference of Boston-1915 
recommends an investigation of the Music School Settlement ivith a view to ex- 
tending its influence. Although less than six months old the Music School Settle- 
ment has already found its place as a practical civic and social organization. — Editor. 



IN the remodelled rooms of an old 
tenement house at 110 Salem Street, 
there has grown up in the past five 
months a miniature "conservatory of 
music," known as the Music School 
Settlement. The idea of giving chil- 
dren of limited means an opportunty 
to secure a musical education and of 
bringing good music to homes which 
would otherwise be without it, originated 
in New York about ten years ago in 
the Music School Settlement which was 
established in that city. 

The New York settlement proved so 
successful that a number of musicians 



and social workers of Boston felt that 
the North End, the most congested and 
most cosmopolitan district of Boston, 
might well benefit by the organization 
of a similar movement there. 

Through the courtesy of the Civic 
Service House, the Boston Music School 
Settlement, when it was organized in 
November, 1910, at 110 Salem Street, 
had the use of three pianos and twelve 
rooms. The work grew so rapidly2_that 
it became necessary to increase the 
working and teaching equipment. 
Steinert and Sons generously loaned 
the school four pianos and the number 



531 



532 



NEW BOSTON 



of teachers was increased to twenty- 
one. A nominal fee is charged for in- 
struction, but provision is made also 
for those whose circumstances do not 
permit their paying anything. 

The school gives instruction in music, 
but, at the same time, does not lose sight 
of the ultimate ideal — better citizenship. 
Besides its instructors, there are a 
mmiber of social workers whose efforts 
lie with the parents as well as with the 
children. The workers believe that 
through the Parents' Association and 
through personal visiting, they will be 
able to bring about that co-operation 
which will unify the work of the school 
and so aid it in fulfilling its objects. 

It is interesting to note that the nations 
represented in the school are the United 
States, Russia, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, 
England and Sweden. 

The instruction offered is in voice 
(for adults), piano, violin, 'cello, and 
various orchestral instruments as well 
as solfeggio, theory and histor^^ of music. 
The committee which supervises the 



instruction consists of Felix Fox, 
chairman, Mrs. Bertha Gushing Child, 
Samuel W. Cole, Jacques Hoffman and 
Professor Walter R. Spalding, who is 
director of the school and is also chairman 
of the Division of Music at Harvard. 

Instruction is individual. There are 
two classes in solfeggio, and music history 
is taught by means of the Mozart Club 
to which the children belong. Monthly 
concerts of special interest to children 
are being arranged. For adults there 
is the instruction in voice, a choral class 
on Sunday afternoons and an Opera 
Club to promote an intimate acquaint- 
ance with the operas. Through public 
lectures on music and a series of j)ublic 
concerts in which the settlement is 
assisted by prominent artists, the school 
attempts to develop a better apprecia- 
tion of good music. 

The work is now beyond the experi- 
mental stage and the first step was taken 
recently toward establishing a fund 
which would enable the school to carry 
on its work permanently. 




A MUSIC SCHOOL TRIO 



BOOKS AS TOOLS OF BUSINESS 



G. W. LEE 



The Special Library for Teachers, proposed by the Edvcatio7i Conference of 
Boston-1915, would meet a portion of the needs of the book hunting public which, 
according to Mr. Lee's article, finds difficulty in locating certain volumes in public 
libraries. The teachers' library proposition is a part of the Bosto7i-l9l5 program 
for 1911.— Editor. 



THESE are days of intensive farm- 
ing, intensive manufacturing, in- 
tensive importing, exporting, bank- 
ing, shop-keeping, in fact, intensive busi- 
ness of every description. Not only is 
the product to be considered, but the by- 
product; not only does the druggist 
dispense drugs, but incidentals — tonics 
in the shape of soft drinks, candies, 
clothes brushes, daily papers and maga- 
zines; not only does the insurance man 
deal in plain policies which can be readily 
vmderstood, but in others that cannot; 
the dry-goodsman not only has his regu- 
lar stock, but his mark downs; the book- 
seller not only his new books, but his 
standard authors at give-away prices. 
All strive to reach the buyer through 
new methods within circumscribed con- 
ditions. This means that they are study- 
ing whether to get more crops from the 
same acreage, or to turn out more pro- 
duct from the same factory, or to realize 
a larger market through appealing to 
the imagination of customers. liut in 
all this how much do they study books, 
or even use them for reference purposes? 
Exceedingly little, except among the 
professional classes, doctors, lawyers, 
ministers, engineers and scientists in 
general. And yet we know there is 
much written upon nearly every human 
activity. There are farm journals and 
general treatises or monographs covering 
the refinements of agriculture; there are 
trade journals of every description, and 
there are books covering substantially 
every form of manufacture; there are 
publications devoted to business methods, 
to system in advertising and to system in 
office management: all pointing to the 
probability that in the near future — call 
it 1915, if you please — scholarship and 
research will play such part in mercantile 
affairs as to render every branch of busi- 
ness a profession. 



By way of illustrating the usefulness 
of some familiar books, let me cite first 
the Boston Directory, which most of 
us refer to so often, yet most of us fail to 
appreciate in its many details. The 
Smiths are there, with and without 
middle initials, and so are the Zyboras, 
the latter as rare as the first are common. 
But what else besides the names and ad- 
dresses? Most of us know the business 
directory, that forms Part 2, as it were, 
of this thick volume. But look at the table 
of contents and see what else you find. 
You find that the banks and trust com- 
panies, with their officers, are listed; the 
Boston Stock Exchange with its ojfficers; 
the calendar; the census of the state; 
the churches and ministers; the city 
and state government, wnth their re- 
spective officials; the congressmen of 
Massachusetts; the consuls representing 
all parts of the world; the courts, 
municipal, state and federal; the ex- 
presses, local, suburban and for all 
New England; the hack and taxicab 
fares; the halls, blocks and buildings; 
an index to advertisements; the popu- 
lation of Rhode Island; postal regula- 
tions and rates; hundreds of societies 
and institutions as widely different as 
the Animal Rescue League, the Bank 
Presidents' Association and the Daugh- 
ters of the Revolution — all this and much 
else, not to mention the street directory 
and the insert map of Boston, which, 
by the way, is often extracted before the 
directory has lived many days. The 
volume is valuable, but its value is as 
unsuspected as is the true value of many 
a friend whom we meet every day. 

The Telephone Directory is another 
obvious convenience for looking people 
up. Their street address is usually 
given, if in Boston, and their district 
address, if out of town; while "Informa- 
tion" has the facilities for giving you the 



533 



534 



NEW BOSTON 



suburban street numbers. Did you ever 
think of obtaining the Telephone Di- 
rectory from^ New York, from Phila- 
delphia, and elsewhere, for a similar 
])urpose? They are often available at 
the mere trans])ortation cost, and they 
have their place in a large mercantile 
house. Another directory, which it has 
been my experience to find far more 
useful than the public would suspect, is 
"Who's Wlio in America." Vain it may 
sound to want to know what this person 
or that has achieved, yet we rightly de- 
sire to know what title to give our ad- 
dressee— Dr., Prof., Rev., or Hon. — as 
well as his residence or place of business. 
Such information is in "Who's Who," 
though "The Honorable" may have to 
be deduced from the office a man holds 
or has held. 

The dictionary, up-to-date, is of vital 
consequence to some of us, for it tells 
what's what in the language world. And 
it can be used for more than definitions, 
derivations and the spelling of approved 
words. Look for yourself into Webster's 
New International. "Aeroplane" and 
pictures of aeroplanes are there, as also a 
host of new or newly familiar technical 
terms. These and the colloquials we 
rightly expect, but the lower sections of 
the pages, a new feature, give in finer 
print minor words, foreign words, and 
obvious derivatives, besides such ephem- 
eral slang as is likely never to reach the 
stage of good usage. "Graft" and 
"cinch" in their colloquial uses fall into 
the body of the work, the upper section, 
l)ut "rubber neck" and its contracted 
form, "rubber," are inserted in the 
lower section as slang. This lower sec- 
tion is, however, of considerable conse- 
quence, for it tells when a word is not 
a})proved, to know which fact is often 
of much use; while to the foreigner, who 
may have learned our vernacular from 
text books of pure English, this when- 
in-doubt section must be a delight, 
lint there are other features that we 
often overlook: the i)ages of signs and 
abbreviations and the gazetteer; besides 
a well-indexed reference history, wherein 
we nuiy find statements and chronological 
data of commercial importance regarding 
localities, domestic and foreign, with, 
also, some general maps. 

Another useful publication, almost too 



young to be fully realized, is the per- 
petual Loose-Leaf Encyclopedia. The 
subscribers for these twelve volumes are 
entitled, for a term of years, to research 
information, without additional expense; 
also, from time to time they receive 
special sheets on topics of immediate 
importance, besides the annual set of 
some 600 sheets, which are to be inserted 
throughout where they belong. In last 
year's set, for instance, are articles on 
conservation, the cost of living, an ac- 
count of the Paris flood of 1910, with 
revision of articles on concrete, the 
Tariff, and the Panama Canal. 

Another publication familiar to many 
a mercantile house is the Rand-McNally 
Business Atlas. We rightly assume that 
it has indexed maps of the different 
states; but looking at it with more 
scrutiny, we find, also, its alphabetical 
list of our steam railroads and of our 
electric interurbans, the electrics as 
well as the steam being also indicated 
on the state maps. It lists the principal 
steamboat lines, too; it has the not un- 
familiar world map, on Mercator's pro- 
jection, showing the international steam- 
boat routes; it has a map of the standard 
time divisions; it has diagrams of railway 
mileage and of income from tariffs; an 
industrial map, showing where the re- 
spective staple products come from; maps 
of some of our larger cities, with inser- 
tions from year to year of some of the 
lesser ones; and, as of popular interest, it 
has a map of the United States with 
dates of discovery, and another of the 
polar regions. While probably no one 
business man has need for all the in- 
formation in the atlas, yet probably no 
one has need for none of it; a statement 
that is, of course, true of substantially 
every book of reference. 

The World Almanac typifies a class 
of familiar publications that are as little 
a])preciated as they are familiar. What 
does this almanac contain? The calen- 
dar, of course, and the times of the 
rising and setting of the sun and moon; 
the tide tables; the holidays, and the 
church year. Wliat else? Look into 
the ten i)age index of the 1910 edition, 
which has upwards of 2,000 entries re- 
ferring to much that is of mercantile 
importance, as well as of conversational 
interest: a half i)age on Halley's comet; 



BOOKS AS TOOLS OF BUSINESS 



535 



twenty pages on population; two and a 
half pages on Marathon and long distance 
running; fifty pages on election returns; 
three pages on college cheers; and fifty 
pages giving information about New York 
City. For the temperance worker it 
has alcohol statistics. It tells the author 
how to obtain a copyright and the in- 
ventor how to obtain a patent. It has 
banking statistics for the financier, and 
the 1909 highest and lowest prices of 
the leading stocks for the investor. It 
gives the importer the customs duties 
on leading articles, and the corporation 
tax it gives for whom it may concern. 
Every one is likely to have occasion to 
consult its tables of weights and measures, 
its values of foreign coins, while all 
should know that in it is the Constitu- 
tion of the United States. To exploit 
the riches of its 752 pages would be 
stupendous; but if we simply peruse 
its pages once a year, we shall do much 
toward appreciating this twenty-five 
cent annual, whose trifling cost may 
lead some to doubt its true value. 

There are many other publications 
for the business man, but few of which 
can even be mentioned within the limits 
of this article. Do you know Poole's 
Index and the Readers' Guide, which 
list for you what has appeared in the 
leading magazines.'' Do you know the 
Monthly Catalogue (and price list) of 
United States Public Documents and 
the (recent) Monthly List of State 
Publications, which will advise you of 
the documents issued by the nation 
and by the states? Do you know the 
A. L. A. Guide to Reference Books? 
They are all worth knowing. Quite 
likely you have seen or heard of the 
Statesman's Yearbook, Hazell's Annual, 
and Whitaker's Almanack, which mean 
so much to the Englishman. Perhaps, 
however, you have not heard of the more 
recent Pitman's "Where to Look," 
which aims "to provide an index to the 
more familiar annual books of reference 
and to a few specified standard works." 
This, like the three preceding, is English; 
hence its limitations for our local use. 
But it points to what doubtless will be 
brought out in this country by 1915, 
a book on sources of information. The 
workmen's compensation act is much 
talked of in these days. Consulting 



"Where to Look," we are referred to 
three publications, one of which is 
"Hazell's Annual." Consulting "Hazell's 
Annual," we find the act explained in a 
column on "Master and Servant." 

Recently issued is the American Year 
Book intended for "searchers of every 
kind." It promises to be exceedingly 
valuable. See it at your public library. 

How shall all these useful works be 
introduced to those who unwittingly 
need them? One means may be the 
Special Libraries Association. This asso- 
ciation was organized about two years 
ago "to promote the interests of the 
commercial, industrial, technical, civic, 
municipal and legislative reference li- 
braries, welfare associations, and busi- 
ness organizations." Do you consider 
that your business is organized? If so, 
you come within the scope of the Special 
Libraries Association. Its organ is 
called "Special Libraries." 

One subject that needs to be con- 
sidered is that of keeping in touch with 
new books. Does any one know a royal 
road to making sure that he will see the 
latest books that are of interest to him? 
The Public Library adds many, and so 
do the libraries of the Technology, and 
so do various minor libraries. If you 
go to the Public Library at the right 
time and have luck, you can see many 
new books; but other people go, so that 
the book you most need to see may be 
borrowed before you arrive, and it has 
been my experience to have to try many 
times before seeing a particular book 
that I thought would be of interest to 
me. Not infrequently after several 
trials the message has come that it is 
missing. Most of the new books are 
reviewed in the newspapers or the week- 
lies or monthlies that are kindred; but 
it is a hopless undertaking to find all 
the reviews, even if we know just wliere 
to look them up. We need a museum 
of new books — a book buyers' library, 
if you please — where the publishers will 
be glad to send one copy of each new 
publication, and whence the copies must 
not be taken, except from the closing 
hours of one day to the opening hours 
of the next, unless, perchance, one wished 
to pay a price that would be prohibitory 
were the book not seriously needed at 
once. How shall such a book depository 



536 



NEW BOSTON 



be effected? I leave it as a problem of 
the Special Libraries Association, of 
the Chamber of Commerce, and of 
Boston-1915. The work of the Co-opera- 



tive Information Bureau, maintained by 
the Special Iyil)raries Association in co-op- 
eration with Boston-1015, is described on 
another page of this magazine. 



NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON THE 
1911 PROGRAM 



A Definite, Direct, Feasible 
Program 

THE list of "thirteen things to be 
done in 1911" offered by the 
Boston-1915 organization, repre- 
sents the practical force of this move- 
ment toward the perfection of Greater 
Boston. The value in setting the year 
1915 as a boundary was in the definite- 
ness of aim and exactness of purpose so 
given. Now, with a specific list of 
thirteen necessary items of progress, all 
practicable and all indicated, the move- 
ment's progress is strikingly marked. 
All of these items are public concerns. 
The benefits are comprehensive and 
inclusive. The ways are plainly marked. 
Co-operation, the key to the problem, 
is already obtained. The programme 
offered represents the serious work of 
more than 1,200 associations, organiza- 
tions and clubs, and planning through 
more than 250 meetings in the year 
past. It is the largest co-operative 
undertaking of the sort in the history 
of American communities. Public sup- 
port will carry this programme through 
because it is a definite, direct, feasible 
programme. These thirteen things can 
be done, and will be done, in 1911. — 
Boston AdvertLser. 

"Planning to Some Purpose" 

"Boston-1915" is now ready for busi- 
ness. Preliminary plans have been per- 
fected. The foundation has been laid, 
and the superstructure of a new and 
better Boston may be reared without 
delay or mistakes. 

The leaders of the ni<)\emoiit have 
been criticized now and then during 
the past year on the ground that they 
were wasting time in theoretical dis- 
cussions, over-organization and excess 



of detail. The recommendations made 
today, however, show that the planning 
has been to some purpose. Thirteen 
definite suggestions are offered for the 
present year, and they should result 
in effective progress. 

Foremost among the Boston-1915 
recommendations, and incorporated in 
bills already introduced in the Legisla- 
ture, are the federation plan for a Greater 
Boston; a comprehensive scheme of 
city planning that includes transporta- 
tion, tenements and other big problems; 
the more complete use of schoolhouses 
in educational and social work, and the 
development of an adequate playground 
system. 

Other proposals call for a permanent 
plan of sidewalk improvement, more 
convenience stations in public places, 
a civic building for the use of charitable 
organizations, full and prompt registra- 
tion of births, more thorough regula- 
tion of medical examinations, the en- 
forcement of j)arental responsibility, and 
the extension of popular art exhibitions. 

Boston-1915, started less than two 
years ago, is now in good working order 
and knows the things it wants to accom- 
plish and how to accomplish them. There 
are nearly four years left for action. 
Those years should be fruitful — and 
they will be. The Boston of the year 
1915 will be a great, l)eautiful, efficient 
and admirable city, because of the labors 
of the public-spirited men and women 
who see visions and try to make them 
real. — Boston Traveler. 

"Fit Subjects for Discussion 
and Work" 

That the promoters of the Boston-1915 
movement are not waiting for some 
magical agency to accomi)Hsh all the 
things desired for the city at one sweep 



NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON THE 1911 PROGRAM 



537 



several years from now is evidenced by 
the completeness and wisdom of the 
published programme of the work they 
wish to accomplish during 1911. 

In the list of the "Thirteen Things to 
Be Done" this year not one is without 
interest and advantage to all our citizens. 
The comprehensive development of 
Boston, the federation of the metropolitan 
district, the creation of a central library 
for teachers, the better and more in- 
telligent use of playgrounds, the provid- 
ing of finer sidewalks, the extension of 
free art exhibitions — all these are fit 
subjects not only for discussion, but for 
work, energetic, tireless and persuasive. 
If a quarter of them can be carried 
through to success, we may congratulate 
the city, ourselves and the laborers in 
the vineyard of Boston-1915. 

The criticism is sometimes made — and 
not without cause — that Boston is a 
wonderful city for the passing of resolu- 
tions that fail to have any tangible 
result. It is cheering, therefore, to find 
the "1915" movers mapping out a good 
deal of actual endeavor.^ — Boston Post. 



'A Comprehensive List 
Reforms" 



of 



For the year 1911 thirteen tasks are 
scheduled by the 1915 movement — 11, 
13, 15 — and it is a comprehensive list 
of reforms. — Boston Herald. 

"An Ambitious Program" 
The practicality of the committee 
must appeal to every one. An ambitious 
programme has been laid out and its 
saneness and comprehensiveness com- 
mend better than anything else the 
calibre of the men "behind." It is a 
pleasure to note the cheery, hopeful 
spirit that fairly exudes from the report 
and with united action success will crown 
the work. — Greenwich (R. I.) Pendulum. 

"Wise Tactics to Establish 
Firm Coherence" 

The Boston-1915 movement (after 
which was patterned the Albany-1916 
movement), has succeeded, it is an- 
nounced, in banding together 1,200 civic 
organizations in Boston and its environs 
in such a way as to facilitate co-opera- 
tion. As a working programme for the 
present calendar year, the projectors 



of Boston-1915 have laid out thirteen 
projects for 1911. 

The Boston Globe remarks that "since 
there can scarcely be any division of 
intelligent opinion as to the necessity 
of most of those rather mild construc- 
tive reforms, the efforts to put them 
through ought not to encounter great 
opposition." Reading between the lines, 
one suspects a gentle satire here; but it 
is to be said that sometimes it is the 
wisest tactics to establish firm coherence 
and co-operation for minor reforms, 
before attempting greater ones. 

In this way, a team spirit may be 
developed such as will prove requisite 
to the greater undertakings; whereas, 
were they to be essayed at the outset, 
the movement might fall apart and prove 
wholly abortive, through lack of famili- 
arity between team, harness and drivers. 
— Albany Argus. 

"An Example Worth Following" 

While the rest of the country has 
heard a good deal concerning Boston- 
1915, its idea of the various projects 
embraced by that movement is not very 
clear. It has been understood in a 
general way that Boston was entering 
upon a series of extensive improvements 
to be completed by 1915. Now the 
promoters of the movement have issued 
a programme of the projects that are to 
engage their attention during 1911, 
forming a part of the general scheme of 
progress. This programme represents 
the common agreement and combined 
study of more than l,'-200 different or- 
ganizations in the city of Boston. 

Boston's enthusiasm for improvement 
is in refreshing contrast to the apathy 
displayed by some American com- 
munities, and the co-operation mani- 
fested by her army of civic organiza- 
tions is inspiring, but is she wise in under- 
taking so much to be accomplished in 
such a comparatively brief time? It 
looks like an immensity even for a town 
the size of Boston. No doubt, however, 
a considerable portion of the work cut 
out will be brought to completion, and 
even if the performance is not quite 
equal to the promise, Boston will have 
set an example worth following by some 
of her more sluggish sisters. — Pittsburg 
Gazette Times. 



BOSTON-! 91 5 CONFERENCE EXECU 
TI\ E COMMITTEES 



Fine and Industrial Arts: 

Arthur Burnham, Chairman. 

Miss Rose Lainl). 

Malcolm Lang. 

Mrs. Josephine Peabody Marks. 

Henry G. Pickering. 

Charities and Correction: 
C. C. Carstens, Chairman. 
Miss Mary W. Dewson, Secretary. 
Col. Adam Gifl'ord. 
James McMurry. 
Rabbi Eichler. 
Rev. Francis H. Rowley. 
Dr. Charles P. Putnam. 
Sara E. Wiltse. 
Lucy Wright. 

City Planning: 

Arthur A. ShurtleflF, Chairman. 
Robert P. Bellows, Secretary. 
Richards M. Bradley. 
F. E. Cabot. 
Edward T. Hartman. 

Civic : 

Prof. William B. Munro, Chairman. 

Edward T. Hartman. 

Mrs. Charles H. Nevons. 

Walter Gilman Page. 

Mrs. Louis Prang. 

Addison L. Winship. 

Co-operative : 

William E. Butler, Chairman. 
L. T. McMahon, Secretary. 
Arthur T. Cummings. 
William P. French. 
W. M. Magoun. 

Education : 

Miss Caroline D. Aborn. 
C. K. Bolton. 
Miss Nellie J. Breed. 
Alvin E. Dodd. 



Carl Faelten. 

Mrs. Emma S. Gulliver, Secretary. 

Miss Frances Lee. 

Prof. Charles F. Park. 

Mrs. John T. Prince. 

Prof. James H. Ropes, 

Frank P. Speare. 

Theodore C. Williams. 

Health: 

Dr. Richard C. Cabot, Chairman. 

Miss Ida M. Cannon, Secretary. 

Dr. John T. Bottomley. 

Sidney S. Conrad. 

Dr. Simon F. Cox. 

Dr. Thomas F. Harrington. 

Miss Isabel F. Hyams. 

Neighborhood Work: 

John D. Adams, Chairman. 
William B. Esselen, Secretary. 
Miss Emily A. Babb. 
Augustine L. Rafter. 
Mrs. Eva Whiting White. 

Railroad Brotherhoods: 

Leonard J. Ross, Chairman. 
George E. Roewer, Jr., Secretary. 

Women's Clubs: 

Mrs. May Alden Ward, Chairman. 

Mrs. George F. Salisbury, Secretary 

Mrs. William C. Appleton. 

Mrs. Charles ¥. Gettemy. 

Mrs. E. S. Goulston. 

Miss Gertrude F. Ogilvie. 

Mrs. Ellen A. Stone. 

Youth: 

Frank S. Mason, Chairman. 

Miss E. D. Adams. 

Miss M. Josephine Bleakie. 

Mitchell F'reiman. 

F'rank L. Locke. 

Mrs. A. R. Marsh. 

Mrs. Elizabeth R. White. 



538 



DIRECTORY 



OF 



DIRECTORS OF BOSTON-1915 



HENRY ABRAHAMS, 

11 Appleton St., Boston, 

Secretary, Boston Central Labor Union. 



{Charter) 



RT. REV. JOSEPH G. ANDERSON, 

29 Magnolia St., Dorchester, 
Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, 
Vicar-General of Archdiocese of Boston, 
Diocesan Director of Catholic Charities. 

{Charities and Correction) 



MRS. FANNIE FERN ANDREWS, 

405 Marlborough St., Boston, 

Secretary, Boston Home and School Association, 
Secretary, American School Peace League. 

{Civic) 



MR. J. WARREN BAILEY, 

State House, Boston, 

President, Mass. Co-operative Bank League, 
President, West Somerville Co-operative Bank, 
Secretary, Massachusetts Prison Commission. 

{Co-operative) 



PROF. GEORGE P. BAKER, 

195 Brattle St., Cambridge, 

Professor of English, Harvard University. 

{Fine and Industrial Arts) 



MR. GEORGE BARRY, 

386 Harrison Ave., Boston, 

President, Building Trades Council. 

{Labor) 



LOUIS D. BRANDEIS, ESQ., 

161 Devonshire St., Boston, 

Senior partner, Brandeis, Dunbar & Nutter, 
Founder, Savings Insurance League. 

(Charter) 

D. CHAUNCEY BREWER, ESQ., 

113 Devonshire St., Boston, 

President, North American Civic League for 

Immigrants, 
Chairman, Industrial Education Department, 
Boston Y. M. C. A. 

{Civic) 

MR. WILLIAM E. BUTLER, 

90 Tremont St., Boston, 

President and Treasurer, Wm. S. Butler & Co., 
Treasurer, Wm. H. Brine Co., 
Director, Gilchrist Co. 

{Co-operative) 

MR. PHILIP CABOT, 

18 Tremont St., Boston, 
Treasurer, Improved Dwellings Association, 
Member, Executive Board, National Housing 
Association. 

{City Planning and Housing) 

DR. RICHARD C. CABOT, 

190 Marlborough St., Boston, 

Physician to Out-Patients, Mass. General Hospital. 

{Charter) 

MRS. RICHARD C. CABOT, 

190 Marlborough St., Boston, 

Member of Mass. State Board of Education, 
Chairman, Department of Education, Women's 

Municipal League, 
Member of Radcliffe College Council. 

{Educarion) 



MISS M. JOSEPHINE BLEAKIE, 

93 Perry St., Brookline, Mass., 
Secretary, Guild of St. Elizabeth. 

( Neighborhood Welfare) 



MR. MEYER BLOOMFIELD, 

112 Salem St., Boston, 

Director, Civic Service House, 
Vice-President, Boston Social Union, 
Director, Vocation Bureau. 

( Neighborhood Welfare) 



MISS IDA M. CANNON, 

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. 

Head Worker, Social Service Department, Massa- 
chusetts General Hospital. 

{Health) 

MR. HARVEY S. CHASE, 

84 State St., Boston, 

Senior partner, Harvey S. Chase & Co., Public 

Accountants. 
Executive Committee National Municipal League. 
Treasurer Economic Club of Boston. 

{Business) 



DIRECTORS OF BOSTON-1915 



MISS ELLEN W. COOLIDGE, 

81 Marlborough St., Boston, 
Secretary, Boston Social Union. 

( Neighborhood Welfare) 

MR. RALPH A. CRAM, 

15 Beacon St., Boston, 
Senior partner. Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson, 
Architects. 

{City Planning and Housing) 

MR. FRANK A. DAY, 

S5 Congress St., Boston, 

Member of firm of R. L. Day & Co., Bankers, 
Director in many educational and philanthropic 
enterprises. 

(Charter) 

DR. BLANCHE A. DENIG, 

541 Boylston St., Boston, 

Attending Medical Physician, New England Hos- 
pital for Women and Children, 
Secretary, Public Health Education Committee. 

( Health) 

REV. JOHN HOPKINS DENISON, 

8 Newbury St., Boston, 

Pastor, Central Congregational Church. 

{Charter) 

PROF. CARROLL W. DOTEN, 

491 Boylston St., Boston, 

Professor of Economics, Mass. Inst, of Technology, 
Adviser in Research, Boston School for Social 

Workers, 
Secretary, American Statistical Association. 

( Education) 

MR. JOHN H. FAHEY, 

76 Summer St., Boston, 

Publisher, Boston Traveler, 

Director, Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

{Charter) 

MR. ARTHUR FAIRBANKS, 

Museum of Fine Arts, Huntington Ave., Boston, 
Director of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. 

{Fine and Industrial Arts) 

MR. EDWARD A. FILENE, 

453 Washington St., Boston, 

Presi lent, Wm. Filene's Sons Co., 
Director, Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

{Charter) 

MR. OSCAR M. FISHER, 

28 Lincoln St., Boston, 

Treasurer, M. A. Packard Shoe Co., 
President, Hunneweil Club of Newton. 

{Contributing) 

MR. GEORGE B. GALLUP, 

Hemenway Chambers, Boston, 

Vice-President, Pilgrim Publicity Association, 
Publicity Committee, Chamber of Commerce, 
Vice-President, National Federation of Alen's 
Church Organizations. 

{Contributing) 



REV. THOMAS I. GASSON, S. J., 

761 Harrison Ave., Boston, 
President, Boston College. 



{Charter) 



MR. WILLIAM GILMOUR, 

114 Water St., Boston, 
Member of the firm of Gilmour & Coolidge, Ins. 

{Contributing) 

J. MOTT HALLOWELL, ESQ., 

50 State St., Boston, 

Member of the firm of Hallowell & Hammond, 

Attorneys, 
Ex-Assistant District Attorney-General of Massa- 
chusetts. 
Trustee of Atlanta University. 

{Contributing) 

MISS ALICE L. HIGGINS, 

43 Hawkins St., Boston, 

General Secretary, Associated Charities. 

{Charities and Correction ) 

MISS EDITH M. HOWES, 

1070 Beacon St., Brookline, Mass., 

President, Mass. Association of Women Workers, 
President, Girls' Trade Educational League. 

( Youth) 

MR. ARTHUR M. HUDDELL, 

386 Harrison Ave., Boston, 

Vice-President, International Union of Steam 

Engineers, 
General Agent Building Trades Dept. 
Member of State Commission on Old Age Pensions, 

etc. {Charter) 

MR. JAMES H. HUSTIS, 

South Station, Boston, 

Assistant General Manager, Boston & Albany R.R. 
{City Planning and Housing) 

MR. DELCEVARE KING, 

Equitable Bldg., Boston, 

Treasurer, Quincy Real Estate Trust, 
Chairman, Massachusetts No-License League, 
V'ice-Chairman, New England Watch and Ward 
Society. 

{Contributing) 

MR. JOHN KOREN, 

Barristers' Hall, Boston, 

Expert Special Agent, U. S. Bureau of the Census. 

{Health) 



MRS. EMERY D. LEIGHTON, 

63 Monmouth St., East Boston. 



{J]'omen's Clubs) 



JUDGE F. L. LEVERONL 

32 Hull St., Boston, 

Judge of the Juvenile Court, 

President, Italian Committee of St. Vincent de 
Paul Society. 

{Contributing) 



DIRECTORS OF BOSTON-1915 



(Contributing) 



{Business) 



SOLOMON LEWENBERG, ESQ., 

Tremont Bldg., Boston, 
Attorney, 



WILLIAM E. LITCHFIELD, 

70 Kilby St., Boston, 
Lumber Merchant, 
Director, Chamber of Commerce. 



DR. A. LAWRENCE LOWELL, 

Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 
President, Harvard University, 
Trustee of the Lowell Institute. 

(Education) 

DR. JOHN H. McCULLOM, 

818 Harrison Ave., Boston, 

Superintendent and Medical Director, Boston City 

Hospital, 
Professor, Contagious Diseases, Harvard Medical 
School. 

( Health) 

MR. DANIEL F. MAGUIRE, 

17 Worcester St., Boston, 

President, Mass. Catholic Order of Foresters. 

(Co-operative) 

MR. FRANK S. MASON, 

3 Dexter Row, Charlestown, Mass., 
Treasurer, Buildings Repairing Co., 
Secretary, Bunker Hill Boys' Club. 

(Neighborhood Welfare) 

MR. GEORGE W. MEHAFFEY, 

2 Ashburton Place, Boston, 

General Secretary, Boston Y. M. C. A., 
Secretary, Boston Federation of Men's Church 
Organizations. 

( Youth) 

MISS MARY C. MELLYJf, 

School Committee Rooms, Mason St., Boston, 
Supervisor of Substitutes, 
President, Guild of St. Catherine. 

(Education) 

MR. EMIL MOLLENHAUER, 

189 Huntington Ave., Boston, 

Conductor, Handel & Haydn Society, 
Conductor of Apollo Club. 

(Fine and Industrial Arts) 

MISS MARY MORISON, 

3 Louisburg Square, Boston, 

Chairman, Library Committee, Women's Educa- 
tion Association, 

Chairman I Fiction Committee, Boston Public 
Library. 

(Education) 

MR. EDWIN MULREADY, 

Court House, Pemberton Square, Boston, 

Deputy Commissioner of Probation Commission. 
(Charities and Correction) 



MR. JAMES F. MULROY, 

53 Marshfield St., Roxbury, 

Director of the Roxbury League of Boys' Clubs, 
Athletic Secretary, Boston Society Union. 

(Contributing) 

PROF. WILLIAM B. MUNRO, 

Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., 

Professor of Government, Harvard University, 
President, Harvard Co-operative Society. 

(Contributing) 

MR. JAMES P. MUNROE, 

6 Beacon St., Boston, 

Chairman, Mass. Commission for the Blind. 

(Charter) 

MR. MICHAEL A. MURPHY, 

11 Appleton St., Boston, 

President, Central Labor Union. 



MR. CHARLES A. MURRAY, 

30 Hanover St., Boston, 

Vice-President, Building Trades Council. 



HON. WILLIAM H. O'BRIEN, 

60 State St., Boston, 

Vice-President, Central Labor Union, 
President, Telegraphers' Union. 



(Labor) 



(Labor) 



(Labor) 



REV. MAURICE J. O'CONNOR, 

43 Tremont St., Boston, 

Director, Catholic Charitable Bureau, 
Spiritual Director, Total Abstinence Society of the 
Archdiocese of Boston. 

( Youth) 

FRANCIS P. O'CONNOR, 

157 Tremont St., Boston, 

Treasurer F. P. O'Connor Company, 
Director Retail Board, Chamber of Commerce. 

(Business) 

MR. MICHAEL O'MEARA, 

Roughan Bldg., Charlestown, 

District Secretary and Treasurer, Longshoremen's 
Union. 

(Labor) 

MISS MARY BOYLE O'REILLY, 

30 Tremont St., Boston, 

Trustee, Children's Institutions Department. 

(Charities and Correction) 

ROBERT TREAT PAINE, JR., ESQ., 

16 State St., Boston, 
Treasurer and Director, Workingmen's Loan 

Association, 
Treasurer, Boston Home and School Association. 

(Cine) 

MR. WILLIAM H. PEAR, 

43 Hawkins St., Boston, 

General Agent, Boston Provident Association, 
Chairman, Paine Fund Committee, Cambridge. 

(Charities and Correction) 



DIRECTORS OF BOSTON-1915 



MR. LEHMAN PICKERT, 

16 New St., East Boston, 

Ex-President and Director, Federated Jewish 

Charities, 
Treasurer, Mass. State Conference of Charities. 
{Charities and Correction) 



MR. OTTO J. PIEIILER, 

3ofi Hoylston St., Boston. 

President, Retail Trade Hoard, Bo.ston Chamber 
of Commerce. {Business) 



MR. JAMES L. RICHARDS, 

24 West St., Boston, 

President, Boston ConsoHihiled Gas Co. 



{Charter) 



DR. MELVILLE F. ROGERS, 

419 Boylston St., Boston, 

President, Savin Hill Improvement Association, 
Vice-President of United Improvement Association. 
{Neighborhood Welfare) 



DR. MILTON J. ROSENAU, 

Professor of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, 
Harvard Medical School. 

{Health) 

MR. LEONARD J. ROSS, 

14 De Loss St., South Framingham, Mass., 

President, Railroad Telegraphers' Union, No. 89. 

{Labor) 

MR. BERNARD J. ROTHWELL, 

Chamber of Commerce Bldg., Boston, 

President, Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

{Charter) 

MR. GEORGE S. SMITH, 
100 Chauncy St., Boston, 

Vice-President, National Clothiers' Association, 
Director, Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

{Charter) 

MR. WILLIAM W. STALL, 

113 Devonshire St., Boston, 

President and Manager, Factory Exchange, 
President, Faneuil Improvement Association, 
Member of Executive Committee, United Im- 
provement Association. 

{Neighborhood Welfare) 



JUDGE M. H. SULLR'AN, 

34 School St., Boston, 

Assistant Justice, District Court, 
President, United Improvement Association. 

{Charter) 



MR. WILLIAM Q. WALES. 

()9 Purchase St., Boston, 

President, Brown-Wales Co., 

President, Boston Credit Men's Association, 

Treasurer, Boston Children's Friend Society. 

{Business) 

MR. ALBERT P. WALKER, 

Girls' High School, West Newton St., Boston, 
Vice-President, Mass. Schoolmasters' Club. 

{Education) 

MRS. MAY ALDEN WARD, 

112 Newbury St., Boston, 

President, Federation Bulletin Publishing Co., 
First Vice-President, New England Women's Club. 

{Women s Clubs) 

HENRY E. WARNER, 

84 State Street, 

Warner, Warner & Stackpole. 

{Business) 

HON. CLARENCE A. WARREN, 

Chelsea, Mass., 

Ex-Mayor of Chelsea, 
Director of the Chelsea Board of Trade. 
President Winnisimmet Trust Inc. 
Director Chelsea Y. M. C. A. 

{Contributing) 

MISS ANNA F. WELLINGTON, 
420 Beacon St., Boston, 

Secretary, Girls' Trade Educational League, 
Member of Executive Committee, Women's Edu- 
cation Association. {Contributing) 

MRS. MARIA D. WHITCHER, 

17 jNIelville Ave., Dorchester, 

Vice-President, State Federation of Women's 
Clubs. {Women s Clubs) 

MR. ROBERT A. WOODS, 

20 Union Park, Boston, 

Head Worker, South End House, 

Director, Pittsburg Survey. {Charter) 



By-Laws of Boston-1915 



ARTICLE I 
Name and Object. 

Section 1. The name of this corporation shall 
be Hoston-IOIT), Inc. 

Section 2. Its object shall be to promote the 
co-oi)eration of all organizations engaged in work- 
ing for the progress of greater Boston or the people 
living within that area; to promote by all lawful 
means the social, material, moral, and intellectual 
welfare of greater Boston and its inhabitants, and 
the improvement of this area; to promote the 
establishing of lectures and the furnishing of other 
instruction on public and municipal affairs in greater 
Boston; to collect and disseminate information 
as to the resources of and civic conditions in greater 
Boston; and to promote improved relations between 
employers and employees in greater Boston. 

ARTICLE II 
Members of the Corporation. 

Section 1. — Classification. The membership of 
Boston— 1915, Inc., shall include: 
(a) Charter members 
(6) Association members 
(c) Contributing members 

Charter members shall consist of the incorporators. 

Association viembers shall in each calendar year 
consist of those organizations for the physical, 
educational, economic, social, religious or civic 
betterment of Boston, which have accepted assign- 
ment by the Executive Committee to one of the 
conference sections hereinafter mentioned, and 
which have appointed during or for that year, 
one or more delegates to represent them at the 
meetings of such section. 

Contributing viembers shall in each calendar year 
consist of all persons who support the work of the 
corporation by paying into its treasury fifty cents 
or more per annum, or by paying into its treasury 
not less than fifty cents and subscribing to its 
monthly periodical at the club rate of fifty cents 
per annmn. 

ARTICLE III 
Conference Sections. 

Section 1. — Classification. Boston-1915, Inc., 
shall have thirteen conference sections made up 
of association members grouped as follows: Busi- 
ness, Charitable and Correctional, City Planning 
and Housing, Civic, Co-operative, Educational, 
Fine and Industrial Arts, Health, Labor, Neighbor- 
hood Welfare, Religious, Women's Clubs, and 
Organizations Working with Youth. 

Section 2. — Delegate Representation. Each or- 
ganization participating shall appoint yearly one 
delegate to each conference section in the field it 
is doing active work, to represent it at the meetings 
of those sections. 

Each such delegate shall be entitled to one vote 
at the annual and other meetings of the conference 
section to which he or .she is appointed, except that 
in the matter of the election of directors from the 
sections, no organization may vote except in that 



section to which it has been assigned by the Execu- 
tive Committee. 

Section 3. — Organization of Conference Sections 
and Contributing Members. Each conference sec- 
tion and the body of contributing members shall 
elect annually a chairman, a secretary, and an 
executive committee. These officers shall have 
such powers and responsibilities as the conference 
shall confer upon them. 

ARTICLE IV 
Directors and Officers. 
Section A. —Board of Directors. The Board 
of Directors of Boston— 1915, Inc., shall consist 
of the charter members, ten representatives elected 
annually by the contributing members, and sixty 
representatives elected annually from the confer- 
ence sections, apportioned as follows: 

Business 6 

Charities and Correctional 6 

Educational 6 

Health 6 

Labor 6 

Neighborhood Welfare 6 

Religious 6 

Fine and Industrial Arts 3 

Civic '3 

City Planning and Housing '3 

Co-operative Associations 3 

Women's Clubs 3 

Organizations Working with Youth 3 
Section 2.— Officers. The officers of the board 
and of the corporation shall be an executive director, 
a treasurer, and a secretary, elected from their own 
number or otherwise; and an executive committee 
elected annually, composed of the executive director, 
treasurer and secretary ex officio, five members 
elected from their own number by the charter 
members of the board, two representatives elected 
from their own number by the directors represent- 
ing the contributing members, and one representa- 
tive from each conference section, elected from their 
own number by the directors representing that 
section. 

The executive director shall hold office at the 
pleasure of the board. All other officers shall be 
elected annually at the annual meeting of the Board 
of Directors, and shall hold office until their suc- 
cessors are appointed and qualify. 

Section 3. — Vacancies. Vacancies occurring dur- 
ing the year may be filled as follows: 

Vacancies affecting representatives of conference 
sections or contributing members may be filled 
by the executive conunittee of such group; or, 
in case no executive committee has been appointed, 
by the officers of the group together with their 
representatives on the board of directors. 

Vacancies in offices of the board other than the 
office of director, may be filled at any meeting of 
the board, provided written notice of such action 
is given to those whose duty it is to fill the office 
not less than three (3) days before the time fixed 
for such meeting. 



BY-LAWS OF BOSTON-1915, INC. 



ARTICLE V 
Powers of Officers. 

Section 1. — The Board of Directors. The powers 
oi the corporation are vested in the board of direc- 
tors. 

Section 2. — Execvtive Director. The executive 
director, if present, shall preside at all meetings 
of the loard of directors. In his absence a chair- 
man i>ro tevi may be chosen. The executive director 
shall, except when special authority is given by 
vote of the directors to some other officer, sign all 
contracts and other instruments in behalf of the 
corporation and affix the seal of the corporation 
thereto, and shall have general power, subject to 
such limitations as the Board of Directors or Execu- 
tive Committee impose, to direct and manage the 
affairs of the corporation. 

Section 3. — Treasurer. The treasurer shall have 
the custody of all funds and valuable papers of the 
corporation, and of the corporate seal. He shall 
keep books of account, showing all moneys received 
and disbursements made. He shall sign in the name 
of the corporation all checks drawn for disburse- 
ments of money belonging to the corporation. He 
shall have no authority to make any note or other 
negotiable instrument, except checks drawn against 
funds actually on deposit, except by express au- 
thority of the board of directors. He shall present 
annually at the annual meeting of the board a 
report showing the financial condition of the cor- 
poration and all receipts and disbursements for 
the year ending September 30. The Board of 
Directors may from time to time by vote delegate 
to any person authority to act for the treasurer 
in his absence or to perform any of the duties of 
the treasurer as his assistant. 

Section 4. — Secretary. The secretary shall be 
the recording officer of the corporation. He shall 
keep records of all the meetings of the board of 
directors and of the executive committee, and shall 
perform such other duties as the board may from 
time to time prescribe. The board may from time 
to time choose an assistant secretary. 

Section 5. — Executive Committee. The Execu- 
tive Committee shall exercise the powers of the 
board of directors when the latter is not in session. 
The committee may adopt its own rules for meetings 
and the transaction of business, subject to any rules 
prescribed for it by the board of directors. Seven 
members shall constitute a quorum. \\'ithin the 
limits of the adopted budget it shall have power 
to engage such staff and office workers as are neces- 
sary.; 

ARTICLE VI 

Meetings. 

Section ^. — Annual Meeting. The Board of 
Directors shall meet annually on the second Mon- 
day of October, at such hour and place in the city 
of Boston as the board may determine, or in the 
absence of such determination as the executive 
director may by notice calling such meeting direct. 

The Executive Committee of the board shall 
meet each week, at such time and place as it may 
determine. 

Section 2.— Stated Meetings. The Board of 
Directors shall also meet on the second Monday 
of each month, from September to Jun(>, at the es- 
tablished oflBce of the corporation or at such other 
place in the city of Boston as it may determine. 



Any stated meeting may be adjourned from time 
to time as the board may think fit. 

Section 3. — Special Meetings. A special meet- 
ing of the Board of Directors shall be called by the 
secretary whenever requested by the executive 
director or by three or more members of the board. 
If the secretary wli(>n so requested refuses or neglects 
for twenty-four lioiu-s to call s\ich special meeting, 
the executive director or such three or more members 
of the board of directors may in the name of the 
secretary call such meeting, by notice in writing 
as hereinafter provided. 

Section 4. — Quorum. At any meeting of the 
board of directors a quorum for the transaction 
of business shall consist of twentj'-one members. 
A smaller number may make reasonable adjourn- 
ments of any meeting until a quorum is present. 

Section 5. — Notices of Meetings. Notice of 
the annual and of every stated and special meet- 
ing of the Board of Directors shall be given by the 
secretary by mailing to such members at his address 
as registered on the books of the corporation, 
postage prepaid, not less than three days before 
the time fixed for such meeting, a written notice 
of the time and place of such meeting, and of the 
purpose for which the meeting is called, or such 
notice may be delivered in person to any member 
not less than two days before the time fixed for 
such meeting. 

Section 6. — Order of Business at Stated Meetings. 

1. Minutes of preceding meeting. 

2. Unfinished business. 

3. Executive committee's report. 

4. Executive director's report. 

5. Minutes of conference sections. 

6. Minutes of committees, and action thereon. 

7. Miscellaneous business. 

Section 7. — Public Meeting. Following the 
annual meeting of the board of directors, and 
during the first half of November in each year, 
a public meeting, the program of which shall be 
arranged by the Executive Committee for the year 
preceding, shall, unless otherwise voted, be held 
at such time and place as the Executive Committee 
may select. 

To this meeting the appointed delegates of all 
association members and all contributing members 
together with the board of directors, shall be in- 
vited. 

ARTICLE VII 
Expenditures. 

No committee, officer, or agent shall incur ex- 
pense without the authorization of the board of 
directors. 

ARTICLE VIII 
Seal. 

The seal of the corporation shall be circular, 
having the inscription Boston- 1915, Massa- 
chusetts, arranged in such form as the Executive 
Committee may approve. 

ARTICLE IX 
Amendments. 

These by-laws may be amended at any annual 
or sj)ecial meeting of the board of directors, in the 
call for which notice is given that an amendment 
of the by-laws will be presented, if a majority of 
all the directors for the time being vote in favor 
of such amendment. 



NEW BOSTON 



Notes from the Wide Field 



Abington— 1912 

Among the smaller towns to adopt the 
Boston-1915 idea is Abington, Mass. 
In 1912 that town will celebrate its two 
hundredth anniversary and so two years 
ahead has been set as a goal for the "city 
beautiful." The program of the Village 
Improvement Committee which has the 
work in charge suggests numerous simple 
plans for the citizens to follow out in 
enhancing the town's attractiveness. The 
committee itself will look after the public 
grounds and buildings. 

Cincinnati Playgrounds 

The Board of Education of Cincinnati 
has opened thirteen playgrounds for the 
summer months. They are located in 
the crowded quarters of the city and will 
be kept open during regular school hours. 
The Cincinnati Indudrial Magazine says: 

"The opening of the playgrounds 
marks a new era in the work of Cin- 
cinnati's public schools. The playgrounds 
are in charge of instructors who have been 
engaged to look after the children. 

"Apparatus of different kinds has 
been placed in the yards and regu- 
lar gymnasium work will be conducted. 
Games will be devised and both boys and 
girls given plenty of opportunity to vent 
their youthful enthusiasm in some sort 
of outdoor amusement." 

The Grove City Republic 

There is a new George Junior Republic 
at Grove City, Pa., near Pittsburgh. The 
republic was founded through the efforts 
of Leonard S. Levin of Pittsburgh. The 
farm consists of 110 acres and it is the 
purpose of the founder to make men from 
the Juvenile Court boys of his city. 
Harris G. Leroy. a former citizen of the 
George Junior Republic at Freeville, 
is superintendent. The original colony 
was sent out from Freeville some eighteen 
months ago, and the republic has grown 
steadily since that time. The constitu- 
tion of the Grove City republic — its legal 
name is the George Junior Republic 
of Western Pennsylvania — is based on 
the successful work of the New York 
state institutions. 



To Set You Thinking 



Weather conditions this spring in 
New England have caused a great deal 
of complaint from the retail trade be- 
cause of poor business. This indicates 
that local conditions have very much 
to do with the sale of goods. 

Recently in a window display of a 
large department store showing dress 
fabrics, it developed that the patterns 
that had been made into dresses and 
shown on forms in the windows were 
the patterns that sold the quickest, in 
fact, sold out the first day. This indi- 
cates again that a local condition has 
to do with the sale. In other words, 
the window display was local to the 
counter and had its influence on the sales. 

Another instance, in the sale of an 
axe a local condition was brought about 
by a wood-chopping contest which in 
a period of two years doubled and tripled 
the sale of the axe, at a very much greater 
price than any other axe in the field. 

Now the point I wish to make is that 
there are a thousand and one conditions 
that arise after the goods have left the 
manufacturer that influence the pur- 
chase of his products by the consumer. 

If you are a manufacturer and would 
like to increase and influence the sale of 
your goods, there is little doubt that you 
can do it if you have an article of merit, 
and will adopt a carefully laid out adver- 
tising plan to tell the people about the 
goods, and an equally well-balanced 
selling plan worked systematically in 
conjunction with the advertising. 

It is right at this point that the services 
of a skillful advertising agent should 
be of assistance to you. As his experi- 
ence is varied and his viewpoint entirely 
different, he instinctively sees and recog- 
nizes conditions. He is in a place to 
advise you and show you your i)roblem 
from a different angle. 

If we have succeeded in setting you 
to thinking, consult any good adver- 
tising agent. It may mean renewed 
life and energy to your business, and 
perhaps a tremendous increase in volume. 
A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



NEAV BOSTON 



Corrugated Fibre 
Board Boxes 

to carry safely most all commodities. 

Taken by transportation companies at 
same rate as wood packages, and weigh 

much less. 

Corrugated paper 
in its many forms. 

Send for new catalogue, "IIo2u to Pack It" 

The Hinde & Dauch Paper Co. 

BOSTON OFFICE 

43 TREMONT STREET 

Phone Haymarket 1389 



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165 DUANE ST. 



EXECUTIVE OFFICES 
SANDUSKY, OHIO 




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•liiiK a<lv(i list iinnts plca.se Tnciitioii NICW I".()S'r()N 



NEW BOSTON 



A Children's Charter 
The Social Settlement in Rochester, 
N. Y., prints this children's charter in a 
recent bulletin : 

1. No child should be compelled to live 
in fin institution; every child has a right 
to a home. 

2. No child should be compelled to 
play on the streets; every child has a 
right to a garden of its own. 

3. No child should be compelled to be 
a breadwinner; every child has a right 
to at least eighteen years of childhood. 

4. No child should be compelled to 
play and be amused all the time; every 
child has a right to share in the chores. 

5. No child should be compelled to live 
in a house built for its parents; every 
child has a right to a house adapted to 
its needs. 

6. No child should be compelled to live 
in tenements in congested districts; every 
child has a right to space, light and fresh air. 

7. No child should be compelled to be 
ill-nourished; every child, however poor 
its parents, has a right to proper food. 

8. No child should be compelled to have 
children's diseases; every child has a 
right to be always healthy and strong. 

9. No child should be compelled to be 
an angel; every child has a right to be a 
real boy or a real girl. 

10. No child should be compelled by 
disease, work or neglect, to die; every 
child has a right to live and be always 
happy. 

A "Junior City Beautiful" 

Similar at least in some of its aims to 
the City Guard of Boston is a junior 
city beautiful organization in Spokane. 
The mayor aroused interest among the 
children by offering them the use of his 
office and later addressing them and 
outlining some of the ways in which they 
could make Spokane a better city. Each 
child was given a package of seeds and 
later in the year prizes will be awarded 
to those growing the most beautiful 
flowers. Miss Hornburg of the Associated 
Charities organized the work and in her 
address to the children she said: 

"You children are going to help us 
have a beautiful city, and in so doing 
you will have lots of fun, will learn how 
to care for flowers, and in the fall some 
of^you will receive prizes and all of you 
will go to the interstate fair and have a 
picnic there, and the way you will go will 
be in a parade, with music, and with 
automobiles decorated with garlands of 
roses and of other flowers." 




Globes and Maps 

School Supplies 

Blackboards 



J. L. HAMMETT 
COMPANY 

250 Devonshire Street 
Bo^on 



In answering advertisements please mention NEJW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



POSSE 

GYMNASIUM 
206 Mass. Ave., Boston 

'draining School Department 

Two years* course for teachers of 
physical training and athletics. 

Massage Department 

Courses of two years, one year, and 
special private course with hospital 
work. 

Gymnasium Department 

Classes for men, women and children 
in all forms of gymnastics and athletics. 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRAR, Posse Gymnasium 



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Colored Lithographs 

including book illustrations and 

Posters, Letterheads, 
Envelopes, Cards, Etc. 

Publishers of 

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Map Catalogue, Free on Request 

Walker Lith. & Pub. Co. 

Walker Studio Building 
400 NEWBURY ST., BOSTON, MASS. 



Street Cleaning and Refuse Removal 

Street Cleaniii<i; and Refuse Removal 
will be the snl)jeot of a meeting to l)e held 
on June 29 in Manning Hall of Brown 
I niversity in Providenee, R. I. The 
Federated Settlements of the city main- 
tain a Bureau of Social Research under 
whose auspices the conference will })e 
held. The l)readth of the program is 
another evidence of the spread of social 
work in every branch of city adminis- 
tration. 

The list of speakers includes the fol- 
lowing: William H. Edwards, commis- 
sioner of street cleaning of New York 
city; Dr. George A. Soper, president of 
the Metropolitan Sewerage Commission, 
New York; Edward T. Hartman, sec- 
retary of the Massachusetts Civic League, 
Boston; Guy C. Emerson, superintendent 
of streets, Boston; F. C. Gorham, pro- 
fessor of biology. Brown University; 
Walter E. Ranger, commissioner of edu- 
cation for Rhode Island; Wallace Hatch, 
secretary of the Rhode Island Anti- 
Tuberculosis Association; J. T. Feather- 
ston, superintendent of streets of the 
Borough of Richmond, New York city; 
Carol Aronovici, director of the Bureau 
of Social Research, Providence, who has 
been largely responsible for organizing 
the conference. Mayor Henry Fletcher 
of Providence is to preside. 

Addresses are to be given on the fol- 
lowing subjects: The Organization of 
an Efficient Street Cleaning Department, 
The Preparation of a Street Cleaning 
De]jartment Budget, jNIodern Methods of 
Street Cleaning, How New York is Solv- 
ing its Street Cleaning Problem, The 
Social Significance of Clean Streets, Bac- 
teriology of Street Dust, Street Clean- 
ing and Tuberculosis, (^o-operation Be- 
tween Street Cleaning Departments and 
Muiiicij)al and Private Agencies, School 
(liildren and Clean Streets. 



Charles H.Perry 

ADVERTISING 

SYSTEM 

4a Irvington Street ^Hu"^*"" 



Telephone 

1504 Back Bay 



Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



CITY CLUB ACTIVITIES 

On Saturday afternoon, July 2, the 
Boston City Club tendered a reception 
to the officers and visiting delegates of 
the National Education Association, from 
four to six. The guests were received 
by David F. Tilley, president of the 
club; Dr. David Snedden, state com- 
missioner of education; Mayor Fitz- 
gerald; Stratton D. Brooks, superin- 
tendent of Boston Schools; Bernard J. 
Rothwell, president of Boston Chamber 
of Commerce, and Charles M. Cox. 

The club was honored with the pres- 
ence of President Taft on July 4. The 
president was driven to the club after 
reviewing the parade on the Common, 
and there received the members of the 
City Council. After a light luncheon 
he made a short address. 

On Tuesday, July 5, the club arranged 
a meeting in the interests of vocational 
education. The subjects and speakers 
follow : 

The Part-Time Solution, W. B. Hunter, 
director industrial department, Fitchburg 
High School. 

The Mechanic Arts or Industrial 
School, Professor C. B. Connelley, dean 
of Carnegie Technical Schools, Pitts- 
burg, Pa. Charles R. Allen, director 
New Bedford Industrial Schools. 

Girls' Trade Schools, Herbert S. 
Weaver, Principal of Girls' Trade School, 
Boston. 

Agricultural School, A. D. Dean, chief 
of New York State Industrial Schools. 
Rufus W. Stimson, of the State Board 
of Education, Massachusetts. 

The Textile School, William H. Dooley, 
principal Lawrence Industrial School. 

Frederick P. Fish, chairman of the 
State Board of Education, presided. 



COMMUNITY SOCIALS IN 
BROOKLINE 



J. LEONARD MASON 

Director Municipal Gymnasium and Baths 

The majority of young people living 
in towns and cities do not have the op- 
portunity of spending the summer months 
at the seashore or mountains. They are 
the workers and "all work and no play 










AuTOMOBiLisT : — "The 
women folks asked me to get 
a good reliable coffee." 

Store-keeper: — " Noth- 
ing better than White House 
you know, — a coffee you city 
folks know as well as we do 
up here." 

"White House" coffee quality is so 
thoroughly established after its 20 years' 
healthy p^rowth that the name is now synony- 
mous with "satisfaction." You can buy 
White House Coffee in one, two and three 
poiuid cans and in no other ivay, and in prac- 
tically every business and outing centre, 
mountain or seashore in this country. 




DWINELL- WRIGHT CO. 

I'KINl HAL COFFEE ROASTEKS 

BOSTON CHICAGO 



NEW BOSTON 



EDUCATOR 
CRACKERS 

ARE FOOD — NOT JUST FILLING 

A CRACKER FOR EVERY OCCASION 



ORIGINAL !,""*' """"■ "" ■°° 

WAr Illv (Butter as you eat It.) 

/^ O K U K IV/f (Unsweetened, but has sweet 

\jr\.ArlA.lVl wheat taste.) 

Tjf TT'T'TO (Shortened; Cracker - and - Milk 

DU 1 1 UK. Cracker.) 



BABY 



(Teething Ring.) 



OATMEAL (Tastes of the Oatmeal.) 

13 X D I T 'V ('^ Brain Builder; good just 

D/\r\.LiIli I before retiring.) 

CHOCOLATE (Rich and Delicious.) 

Your Grocer Sells Them— if he doesn't, tell us his name 



TOASTERETTE 4^a?a'ds o""""^ '""' 
GOLDEN MAIZE ^"hlldre^r'"' 

r rvU 1 1 LU (Desserts and Luncheons.) 

/^/~v TF^C! (Chocolate - coated Educator 

\_,^^-|liL/0 Wafers.) 

BRAN COOKIE il^r '""' '^''" 



A f TV/ir^MCTTC (Educator Flour and 

ALlVH^iMlli 1 1 Hi Chopped Almonds.) 



JOHNSON EDUG 

215-218 TREMONT 



ATOR FOOD CO. 

STREET, BOSTON 



makes Jack a dull boy." The manage- 
ment of the Brookline, Mass., Public 
Gymnasium has endeavored to use the 
spacious building for the further good 
of the community during the hot months 
by means of a .series of public dances, 
or community socials, one evening of 
each week. 

With the exception of the dressing- 
rooms, which are occupied by the athletic 
teams, no use has heretofore been made 
of the gymnasium building during the 
summer. This season it was felt that 
the "gym" might serve a good purpo.se 
if opened occasionally to bring the 
people of the town together under 
pleasant and wholesome social condi- 
tions. Dancing, being one of the most 
popular forms of recreation and social 
training, was made the feature of the.se 
gatherings. The term, "community 
social" gives a better interpretation of 
the object of these meetings th;ui "public 
dance." 

Great interest and enthusiasm was 
shown from the first; everyone attend- 
ing seemed to realize his or her responsi- 
bility in making the gatherings a com- 
plete success. The main exercising hall 



in which the dances are held is large and 
well ventilated, and even on the warmest 
evenings no great discomfort is felt. 

The socials have been well attended, 
generally by several hundred happy, 
smiling couples; and many others take 
a great pleasure in watching the dancing 
from the gallery. Besides being a means 
of recreation and amusement these social 
gatherings have a most important value 
as an educative agency, socially and 
morally, providing, of course, that the 
proper regulations are enforced. Late 
hours are not encouraged, the socials 
lasting from 8 to 10:30 o'clock. It is 
not wise to allow boys and girls under 
eighteen years of age to attend, and the 
officials use careful judgment in this 
particular. No disorder whatever is 
tolerated either during or between the 
dances and objectionable ])ersons are 
not allowed entrance. 

A committee of six young men and 
six young w(^inen act as aides during 
the evening, wearing official badges. 
This committee is clumgetl at each 
social, thus giving all the feeling of 
having a part in the success of each 
evening. The duty of the aides is to 




i 



i 



s 



This is the reason why you should 
use Mellin's Food 

Milk alone is intended for a little calf. 

It is too strong for your baby to digest. 

But add Mellin's Food to the milk and you have a food on 
which your baby will thrive. 

It is easy to use Mellin's Food. Simply dissolve it in water 
and add it to the milk. Then it is ready for baby. All the 
nourishing, life-giving qualities of the fresh milk are retamed, 
but brought down to the needs of a little baby. 

When you feed your baby on fresh milk, prepared with Mel- 
lin's Food, you are giving him the most practical and at the 
same time the most scientific food that has yet been devised. 



If you would like a Trial Size Bottle 
and our beautiful Book, "The Care and 
Feeding of Infants," we will gladly 
send them to you, free of charge. 

Mellin's Food Company, 
Boston, Mass. 



_CUT OUT 



I 



^z^^S^^^^^^^^g^^^^^^g^ 



.•..•..•.THLC.\PvC.'..V 

"::&-FE£UN<.:r' 
■!,•:• iNr-\Nrr5-.- 




MELLIN'S FOOD CO., 44 
Boston, Mass. 
Please send me a copy of 
"The Care and Feeding of 
Infants,' and a Trial Size Bot- 
tle of Mellin's Food. 



My baby is 



months old. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



BOSTON NEW YOKK PHILADELPHIA CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 





"^HHi^^' 



ALL KINDS OF TAGS 

GUMMED LABELS, SEALS. GUMMED PAPER, GLUE, 

PASTE, MUCILAGE, WAX, JEWELERS' BOXES, CASES, 

TRAYS, CREPE PAPEK, PAPER NAPKINS, TISSUE 

Unique devices for business and home life fill every 

Dennison Store. The best and most original of paper 

decorations are found in the Dennison Art Departments 

The combination is interesting and satisfying 

PROVE IT FOK YOURSELF 



fiHJ!ViPMW"Vl''-ai!'^Ji^AJtiNI^)|iV<Vl*i| 



correct, or report to the director, any 
objectionable conduct; to properly in- 
troduce any young people .so desiring 
and to do all po.s.sible to help everyone 
to thoroughly enjoy them.selves. The 
older people of the town also attend, 
the women acting as matron.s. 

The mo.st important factor to assure 
best results is to surround these social 
gatherings with a wholesome, friendly, 
public-spirited atmosphere. Music is 
provided by the regular gymnasium 
pianist. Special features between dances, 
such as .songs and recitations, have proven 
popular. Among the possibilities is the 
teaching of folk dancing and fancy 
marching. 

While attending the National Play 
Congress in Rochester last spring, the 
writer was much interested in hearing 
Mrs. Charles II. Israels of New \ink 
tell of the dance hall f|uestion in the 
cities. Social conditions differ in towns 
like Brookline, bill some of the principles 
to be considered are the same everyw lier(>. 
A comnnniity which .seeks to i)rovide 
an opportunity for its young peoi)le of 
both sexes to meet together under a 
wholesome, social and moral environ- 
ment is working for good citizenship. 



ESTABLISHED 1846 




Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

Milk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 

( rililicd. lldod F;irm. Modified for Biihics 

Buttermilk 

Put up in Soalod Gla.ss Jars 

Daily ddivrrios on regular Hood trams in 
(ircalcr IJoston. North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
ISIanchester, X. II. 

Delivered l»y express to any address. 
494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

Tho EiirSest IniU-pondcnt Dnir.v c:onipiin.v In New 
Enfiliind. 



NEW BOSTON 



To Set You Thinking 



When you begin to advertise for the first 
time under the guidance of a reputable 
advertising agency, not the least of the 
many benefits you will derive from your 
experiment will be your greatly increased 
pride and faith in your own product. 

Of course you have always considered 
your product good enough to hold its own 
against similar goods in the market, and 
have perhaps let it go at that, preferring 
to do your hardest thinking with respect 
to the purchasing of raw materials, your 
expense account, your annual sales, etc. 

However, you begin to advertise, and 
your publicity expert urges you first of 
all to look to your product — to make sure 
that it is at least as good as any of its 
kind, and the best of its kind, if possible — 
and emphasizing the fact that if the pro- 
duct and, of course, the price are right, 
the rest will be pretty smooth sailing. The 
impression such talk makes on your mind 
is further deepened when your first adver- 
tising copy appears in the newspapers or 
magazines. If it is skilfully written, its 
claims for the superlative merits of your 
goods will not only make the public believe, 
just as the public must believe if you are 
to sell your product, but it will stir within 
you a desire to always produce an article 
in which you, yourself, can have pride and 
faith. If it is just good enough to "get 
by," and no more, you will soon find your- 
self impelled by the new light of truth 
that has crept into you to keep overhauling 
your equipment until you have got your 
product inferior to none. If this product 
is already high grade, you will be bound 
to keep it up to a rigid standard of su- 
periority. 

There's no use talking, good adver- 
tising not only sells goods, but it does pull 
manufacturers out of the ruts into which 
the best of them sometimes get. 

Think it over. 

A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High St., Boston, Mass. 



POSSE 

GYMNASIUM 
206 Mass. Ave., Boston 

draining School Department 

Two years' course for teachers of 
physical training and athletics. 

Massage Department 

Courses of two years, one year, and 
special private course with hospital 
work. 

Gymnasium Department 

Classes for men, women and children 
in all forms of gymnastics and athletics. 

ADDRESS 

REGISTRAR, Posse Gymnasium 



Charles H. Perry 



ADVERTISING 



SYSTEM 



4a Irvington Street ^Hue"*"' 



Telephone 

1504 Back Bay 



Boston, Mass. 



NEW BOSTON 



The Mechan'cs' Exposition 

The largest mechanics' exposition ever 
held in Boston Avill occupy the Mechanics 
building on Huntington Avenue from 
Monday morning, Oct. 3 to Saturday 
night, Oct. 29, from 10 o'clock A. M., 
to 10 o'clock P. M. It will be an old- 
time Mechanics Fair, showing ])ractical 
working exhibits such as an elaborate 
and detailed demonstration of the mak- 
ing of shoes from the flat leather to the 
finished product of the highest class 
shoes; a splendid exhibit of the very 
latest inventions of Thomas A. Edison, 
and all sorts of lighting and labor saving 
devices; a model printing plant showing 
the various processes of publishing a 
daily newspaper from the news gather- 
ing and "coj)y" to the folded product 
of the press ready for distribution. In 
keeping with the educational plan of the 
exposition there will be an art loan ex- 
hibit of paintings, bric-a-brac, cathedral 
stained-glass, and models, mainly by 
American artists. The whole of Talbot 
and Music halls will be devoted to this 
exhibit. Music will be one of the big 
features of the exposition and the high 
character of the concerts can be known 
from the fact that by special permission 
of President Taft the United States 
Marine Band Avill play every afternoon 
and evening for the first two weeks; for 
the last two weeks, the band of the 75th 
regiment of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia 
will play in Grand Hall and every morn- 
ing, afternoon and evening in Exhibition 
Hall, the Edna Frances Simmons Ladies 
Orchestra will give concerts. 

Open Air Schoolrooms in Pawtucket 

The gospel of fresh air in school build- 
ings for children with weak lungs has 
reached Pawtucket, R. I., where the 
Board of Education has decided that there 
shall be one open-air room in every new 
school building. Already, Pawtucket 
has one such room, opened last May. 
The children selected for the open-air 
room were chosen from those families 
with the worst health histories. While 
school is in session the children are 
weighed once a month and their blood 
is tested monthly. Special attention 
is given diet, and treatment is also pro- 
vided for poor eye-sight, enlarged tonsils, 
adenoids and decayed teeth. 




NEW BOSTON 



Corrugated Fibre 
Board Boxes 

to carry safely most all commodities. 

Taken by transportation companies at 
same rate as wood packages, and weigh 

much less. 

) Corrugated paper 
/ in its many forms. 





r:-t^ 




<. V 






^ • 






< • 


■^ 




*^ '^"'^ 


K 






HIM 




Send for new catalogue, "How to Pack It" 

The Hinde & Dauch Paper Co. 



BOSTON OFFICE 



43 TREMONT STREET 



Phone Haymarket 1389 



NEW YORK OFFICE 
165 DUANE ST. 



EXECUTIVE OFFICES 

SANDUSKY, OHIO 



ESTABLISHED31845 







Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

Milk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 
Certified, Hood Farm, Modified for Babies 

Buttermilk 

Put up in Sealed Glass Jars 

Daily deliveries on regular Hood teams in 
Greater Boston, North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
Manchester, N. H. 

Delivered by express to any address. 
494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company In New 
England. 




" I always use Sawyer's Crystal Ammonia 

and Borax for washing dolly's lace dress, 

as it does away with the rubbing. I then 

rinse and use Sawyer's Crystal Blue." 

SAWYER CRYSTAL BLUE CO., 
88 Broad Street, Boston, Mutt- 



In answering advertisements please tnention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



A BENCH 




for Home 

or Shop 

or Garage 



will not cost much and prove to be a 
good investment. We are headquar- 
ters for benches, tools and supplies 
for manual training. Mechanics' tools 
at bottom prices. 

General— HARDWARE— Builders' 

CHANDLER & BARBER 

122 SUMMER ST.. BOSTON 



1915 
"The Year of Jubilee" 



TTie Stirring New Patriotic 
Song by 

Samuel Richards Gaines 

Everyone interested in the great 1915 
movement — in fact all truly patriotic citizens 
of Boston and New England should have a 
copy of this great song. 

Besides being a splendid song for the 
home, and for use on all political and 
patriotic occasions, it is already being in- 
troduced into the public schools. 

The words are dignified and convincing, 
and the music an inspiring march. 

Published by C. W. Thompson & Co. 
A and B Park Street - Boston, Mass. 

Full sheet music size (with special cover 

design), 25 cents net 

Smaller octavo edition (for school use, etc.), 

5 cents each, $4.50 per 100 



VACANT LOT GARDENING 
IN PHILADELPHIA 

JAMES H. DIX 

The work of the Philadelphia Vacant 
Lot Cultivation As.sociation has been 
carried on for about twelve years under 
this general plan: 

We borrow tracts of idle land, within 
the city limits, and sign an agreement 
to vacate the land upon notice (prob- 
ably ten days) that the owner desires to 
use it for other purposes. We pay 
nothing for the land, and while we take 
it on this uncertain tenure, yet the per- 
centage which we have had to vacate 
has been so very small that it has 
not been a serious drawback. Of course, 
if you could borrow land on more definite 
or longer terms, so much the better. 
We try to secure as large tracts as pos- 
sible, near thickly built-up sections, as 
this makes the work more economical 
and easily managed. 

After securing the land, we clear it 
up, fertilize it, plow and harrow it. 
We maintain some teams of our own. 
which do a large portion of the plowing 
and harrowing, in addition to hauling 
manure (largely during the fall and 
winter) from various stables to the 
gardens. By this process, we are able 
to get nearly all the manure we need, 
free of charge, except our cost of hauling. 

When the land is prepared for plant- 
ing, we divide it into gardens generally 
ranging in size from one-fourth to one- 
eighth of an acre. These are then as- 
signed to families from whom applica- 
tions have been received. We then 
distribute seeds and plants to these 
families about as follows: One bushel 
seed potatoes, one quart peas, one 
(|uart onion sets, about two ounces each 
of lettuce, cabbage, beets and radish 
seeds. Tomato and cabbage plants are 
also given in quantities governed by 
the number we have been successful in 
raising for distribution. We sometimes 
furnish a few egg plants and pepper 
j)laiits. This outfit of seeds enables the 
gardeners to make a good start and with 
proper cultivation they will provide a 
good crop. But we encourage the far- 
mers to buy additional seeds, including 
other kinds and varieties, according to 
their personal desires and success. 

The families, including the children 
in most cases, plant and cultivate, re- 
ceiving encouragement, direction and 



NEW BOSTON 



BOSTON NEW YOKK PHILADELPHIA CHICAGO ST. LOUIS 




ALL KINDS OF TAGS 

GUMMED LABELS, SEALS. GUMMED PAPER, GLUE, 

PASTE, MUCILAGE, WAX, JEWELERS' BOXES, CASES, 

TRAYS, CREPE PAPEK, PAPER NAPKINS. TISSUE 

Unique devices for business and home life fill every 

Dennison Store. The best and most original of paper 

decorations are found in the Dennison Art Departments 

The combination is interesting and satisfying 

PROVE IT FOPv YOURSELF 



| lhi»»IUI.-« U-riJ: > JSt->..,'»4>\l i ^.l»' 



T™ 



"»mipwt— IJ.'*] I m 1 1 . 



instruction from us. When any of, the 
crops are matured, these families , use 
whatever portion of the crop they need 
for their own food and sell any surplus 
they may have. They can generally 
get pretty good prices for the vegetables 
fresh from the gardens. x\t the end of 
the season, we request them to give us a 
report of the crops raised. 

The fertilizing, plowing, harrowing, 
seeds and plants, which we furnish, cost 
the association, on an average, about 
$5.00 a garden. W^e charge the garden- 
ers $1.00 towards this expense the first 
season. If they cultivate their garden 
well we assign it to them the second 
season, if they desire, and charge them 
$'■2.00 towards the expenses and so on 
until they have paid $5.00 towards the 
fifth season's expenses. This is our 
general rule, but in a few cases where 
the third season is reached, and the 
gardener on account of having saved his 
seed, or for some other reasons, desires 
to furnish it himself, we make a charge of 
$2.50, which about paj's for the plowing 
and fertilizer. We assign no seed to such 
gardeners or families. 

The gardens are located in various 



parts of the city. There is a small di- 
vision of our work, the emergency farm, 
where we give temporary employment 
to applicants who are in serious need of 
immediate relief. We pay them fifteen 
cents an hour for their work and when 
the crops are matured, we dispose of 
them to reimburse our treasury. 

W'e never charge anything for the 
gardens, as they do not cost us anything 
and we believe that in their present idle 
condition such lands should be a natural 
opportunity for these families to support 
their families and improve their living 
conditions. 

Educational Moving Picture Programs 

Peter MacQueen, explorer, traveler, 
war correspondent and lecturer, will ap- 
pear at B. F. Keith's Bijou Theatre for 
the four wrecks beginning October 3, 
presenting illustrated talks on Russia 
and Tolstoi, the Danube, Egypt and the 
Nile, and the British Isles. Dr. Mac- 
Queen's appearance on the Bijou stage 
affords an interesting instance of the 
Bijou's policy of adding numbers of 
some educational interest to the usual 
program of motion pictures and music. 



276 



NEW BOSTON 






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MUB ENQRAVINQi Co. 

HALF-TONE ENGRAVERS 

173 SUMMER ST. BOSTON 

TELL. OXFORD £02, 




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See samples of our work in this magazine 



Mr. Greene of the Massachusetts Com- 
mission for the Bhnd is shortly to pre- 
pare for the Bijou a lecture on The 
Blind at Work and Play. 

Boston City Club Notes 

The season of 1910-11 of the Boston 
City Club will open with a musical night. 

Several changes and improvements 
have been made at the club, and will 
be completed at that time, for the in- 
spection of the members. 

One of the important announcements 
for October is an evening devoted to 
Public Baths, Playgrounds and Recre- 
ation. Thursday evening, October '-20, 
Mr. Joseph Lee, of the Boston School 
I5oard, will preside and make an address. 
Mr. .7. Leonard Mason, Director of the 
Gymnasium and Baths at Brookline, will 
deliver an illustrated lecture on the 
question. Mr. ^Lison has been a deep 
student of this subject, and his utter- 
ances in public are awaited with much 
interest. Other gentlemen prominently 
connected with these dei)artments in 
Boston have been invited to speak. 
The committee of the club would be 
glad to have any gentlemen interested 
in this question attend. 



I91I! 




indorsed 

By 
Physicians 




Physicians say Felt's Foot Soap is healing, 
soothinfi and antiseptic, and does for the feet 
what no other soap can do. Sold at all drug 
and department stores. 

FELT CHEMICAL COMPANY Boston, Mass. 



NEW BOSTON 



F. H. PRINCE & CO. 

BANKERS 

28 State Street = Boston, Mass. 



liigh=Grade Investments 



Hembers of New York and Boston Stock Exchanges 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



12 



NEW BOSTON 



The Civic League's Housing Program 

The Massachusetts Civic League is 
sending out a circular outlining a plan 
for a housing campaign in each munici- 
pality. It is sent at this time because 
of the great interest which is being 
shown in housing reform throughout the 
country. Housing reform is one of the 
most important items in the social pro- 
gram of every community and it ought 
to receive the active support of the best 
citizens. 

The league asks each ])lace to first 
organize a strong local group to lead the 
work. This should be such a group as 
can command the respect of the people 
and be able to do things. The compo- 
sition of the group is important. It is 
urged that it contain three or four 
people of strongly developed social in- 
stincts, a number of strong business men 
and men active in local politics. This 
will make it possible to meet opposition 
and push matters along. 

Several lines of work are suggested. 



First, perhaps, should be the enactment 
of a law making it impossible to con- 
struct homes not ])roperly lighted and 
ventilated. Along with this should be 
taken up the question of maintenance. 
This has to do with the use of buildings 
after they are constructed. The re- 
quisite powers are generally lodged with 
the boards of health, and their proper 
enforcement is of the utmost importance. 
In this connection the local committee 
should ascertain what are the powers in 
regard to occupancy, overcrowding, clean- 
liness, safety and any other ])oints af- 
fecting the public health. It should 
learn the method of enforcing these 
powers and how fully they are enforced. 
If there is not proper enforcement the 
committee should learn tlie causes and 
remove them. If new powers are needed 
the committee should help to secure 
them. A standard should be established 
below which no room may be occupied. 
All rooms so occupied should be vacated 
and in this way the present bad con- 
ditions may be removed. 



CHARLES M. CONANT 

Boston, Suburban and Seashore Real Estate 

Fire, Liability, Automobile and Disability Insurance 




This cut gives a glimpse of our Home-sites, at Atlantic-By-The-Sea, only 

5 1-2 miles from State House and only 10 minutes from South Station. 

For full particulars regarding this beautiful place, see us at 

640-642 OLD SOUTH BUILDING, BOSTON 



lowering advii tisciiitiits please mention NEW IJOSTOX 



NEW BOSTON 



A general campaign of education must 
be established. Tenants do not under- 
stand the evil results of keeping their 
homes in an unclean condition. The 
flies which breed in filth crawl over their 
food and scatter disease. It must be 
shown that it is dangerous to permit 
flies to breed and to live with the people 
in their homes. The importance of 
pure air should be taught, and that 
night air is as safe as any other. 

It is difficult to outline a plan of edu- 
cation for landlords, but they can be 
shown that badly lighted and ventilated 
homes become slum homes, that slum 
property is not a good investment and 
that it deteriorates the value of property 
as a whole. From the economic point 
of view bad housing is a poor investment. 

The importance of more constructive 
work should be brought before social 
workers. The efficiency of the social 
worker will be much increased when pre- 
vention is considered at least as important 
as alleviation. 

It is important to show people that if 
their authorities do not properly enforce 
reasonable regulations every one will 
suffer. Much of the poverty, sickness 
and immorality we are trying to cure 
is caused by bad housing. It is better 
for the community to remove the cause 
than to salve over the superficial diffi- 
culty. People in the better homes should 
learn that so long as pest centers are 
permitted to exist they are not safe. 
Flies go into the homes of the rich and 
the poor alike. The fly travels far and 
he is seldom empty-footed. 

Proper planning should be considered. 
Many of the present bad conditions are 
due to the lack of planning. 

There is probably no town in Massa- 
chusetts in which bad conditions may 
not be found, surely no city, and the 
campaign should be started at once. 
The Massachusetts Civic League offers 
to send a representative to meet such 
local groups as have been suggested and 
to help in any way it can in securing 
proper laws and in getting the movement 
started. In the end, however, it is a 
problem for each community to work out 
for itself. 

Through the Boston-1915 committee 
on housing, work is already under way 
in Boston. Several organizations have 
offered assistance and there is promise 
that public opinion will support local 
authorities in a more extensive use 
of their powers and in securing greater 
appropriations for their work. 





BOSTON 

Insurance Company 

CAPITAL, $1,000,000 
SURPLUS, 3,000,000 






fivCf jVIarine^ 
Hutomobilc and 
Hourist floaters 






PRINCIPAL OFFICES: 

137 Milk Street Bo^on 

66 Beaver Street .... New York 
Chamber of Commerce . . Baltimore 





H 



ENRY W. SAVA6 

BOSTON I BROOKLINE 

7 Petnberton Sq Coolidge't Corner 



E 



Alltton Office— Commonwealth and Harvard Aves. 



2050 Haymarket — TELEPHONES — 1508 Brookline 
670 Brighton 



REAL ESTATE 

Boston and Suburban Properties for 
Homes and Investment 

Farms, Seashore and Country Estates 



MORTGAGES -INSURANCE 

Collection of Rents and Care of Property 
See Me for Anything Pertaining to Real Estate 



F. H. PURINGTON, Manager 



NEW BOSTON 



The Power to Grasp the Future 

The ability to project one's self beyond today, even beyond 
this life, to reach forward a few years or many years and suc- 
cessfully grapple with events far distant— THIS IS THE POWER 
for which mankind is constantly seeking, and 

HERE IT IS— 

The Power to Provide a Sheltering Home for Loved Ones. 
The Power to Leave a Good Bank Account for Your Wife. 
The Power to Protect the Younger Ones Depending upon You. 
The Power to Give Your Daughter a Complete Education. 
The Power to Start Your Son upon a Business Career. 
The Power to Secure an Old Age Free from Worry. 

THE SURE, SAFE WAY of properly providing for the Pres- 
ent and thereby acquiring the POWER TO GRASP THE 
FUTURE is obtained through the Liberal Policy Contracts 
of this Companj^ 

DO IT TODAY and in 1915 you will have added greatly to your 
estate. 

Boston 
Mutual Life Insurance Company 

HERBERT O. EDGERTON, President 

JX Kilby Street, Boston, Mass. 

"A Young, Strong, Safe and Growing Company" 



In answLiiiig ailvt i liscnunts please iiienlion XICW Ii()Sr(>X 



NEW BOSTON 



THE 

Home Insurance Company 

NEW YORK 

Surplus to Policy-holders, $15,382,836 



FIRE, LIGHTNING, WINDSTORM, TOURIST, 
TRANSPORTATION AND AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE 



BOSTON OFFICE, 92 WATER STREET 



FREDERIC A. WETHERBEE 
CHARLES F. SIMMONS 



WETHERBEE AND SIMMONS 
GENERAL AGENTS 



1825 



NEW ENGLAND DEPARTMENT 



1910 



THE 



PENNSYLVANIA 

FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY 

Surplus over $2,000,000 

EDWARD C. BRUSH, Manager »7q VIU Cj. D ^ 

FRANK H. BATTILANA, Asst. Manager « i^ l\.llDy Ot., tSOStOIl 




School Children and Clean Streets 

The following letter was addressed 
by Mayor Fitzgerald to the schoolboys 
and schoolgirls of Boston in an effort 
to secure their co-operation in keeping 
the streets clean: 

"I wonder if you know how much it 
cost last year to keep the streets of 
Boston clean. The exact amount was 
$660,617.38— almost a dollar for every 
man, woman and child in the city. In 
ten years this would make over six and 
a half million dollars, and still the streets 
are not so clean as they ought to be. 



Whose fault is this.^ Nearly every- 
body's, more or less. So many persons 
seem to think the street, which is prop- 
erly the opening between the houses 
through which we walk or ride, is also 
intended as a great receptacle or dump- 
ing place for rubbish. Walk along and 
notice, especially in the channel near 
the curbstone, the torn fraguients of 
paper blowing about, the apple cores, 
banana skins, corn husks, peanut shells 
and house refuse and then notice the 
same street after it has been swept. 
How smooth and clean and almost new 
it looks! Doctors tell us that all this 



NEW BOSTON 



CHAS. C. PATTERSON ALLAN McKISSOCK 

JOHN WYLDE G. HERBERT WINDELER 

Patterson, Wylde & Windeler 

MARINE FIRE LIABILITY 

Insurance 

1 06 Chamber of Commerce Bldg., Boston, Mass. 

TEL. 742, 743 & 3133 MAIN 



The Cow Barn — T. D. Cook Catering Farm — Norfolk, INTass. 





urn tmm. , 


P" 


^HhIm 


ii 


in 




MS^^Sf 


^ 




■ ^ i*^. 




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We safeguard our Patrons by production of milk 
and cream on our Farm under sanitary conditions 

T,D, Cooli & Co., Caterers 

88 Boyhton Street, Boston 

Ice Cream 

Ice Cream suitable for your use deserves all the protection that the best regulations 
for milk hygiene have suggested. Cream shipped fresh from farm every morning. 



In answering advertisements |)leasc mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



rubbish lying in the dust carries germs 
of disease and makes people sick. A 
good doctor wants to keep people well. 
He tries to prevent sickness even if, 
when he has done so, fewer patients come 
to seek his services. So all the doctors 
are asking for cleaner streets and the 
city government is also eager to have 
them because it costs so much every 
year to collect and remove the rubbish. 
But what can the doctor do and what 
can the city government do if the people 
themselves continue to treat the open 
street as if it were a dumping ground.? 

"We are told that the people in Europe 
do not use the streets in this way. In 
Germany, for example, they would re- 
gard some of our habits as most un- 
cleanly, and when you come to think 
of it, are they not quite right? The 
street is in one sense the floor of the 
city, and no person who is well brought 
up would throw decayed fruit or soiled 
papers *on the floor of his home or of a 
schoolroom. The waste baskets are 
there for just that purpose. So why not 
let us all agree for the next year, when 
we'are^tempted to use the streets in this 
way, to refrain from doing so and to 
hunt^up a suitable barrel or receptacle 
in which the rubbish may be placed. 
This may cost us a little trouble, but 
most 'things that are valuable have to 
be paid for. 

"I wish the pupils in the schools 
might^be the leaders in a movement of 
thistkind. They are doing it in other 
cities, andlBoston ought not to be behind 
in so excellent a work. There are more 
than one hundred thousand of you 
studying in the schools and if all the 
litter you cast away in a whole year 
were heaped up in some open field next 
Fourth of July morning, I think it would 
make the biggest and brightest bonfire 
Boston ever saw. Let us keep the streets 
clean and be all so much the healthier, 
happier and perhaps richer for it. After 
we have tried this for a whole year I 
am sure the results will be so satisfactory 
and we shall be so proud of our new- 
looking streets and so happy in our 
improved health that we shall be glad 
to continue the practice, until some time 
our city will present as neat an appear- 
ance as the cities of Europe do. I ask 
-every boy and girl in the schools of 
Boston to contribute his or her share 
toward Jmaking our city the cleanest 
city in America. 

John F. Fitzgerald, Mayor." 



We have striven to main- 
tain and increase the 
splendid reputation for 
quality held by ''Boston" 
goods everywhere. That 
reputation has been a 
great help to us. We are 
glad that our one hun- 
dredth birthday comes in 



"1915 



99 



Stickney & Poor 
Spice Co. 



FOUNDED 1815 



BOSTON 



MASS. 



NOBSCOT MT. 

SPRING,^ 
.WATER: 

From the Spring Direct to You 

The purest spring water you can 
obtain is none too good. Quality 
(not price) is an absolute neces- 
sity and should be considered. 

Analysis on application. 
Prompt delivery. 

Nobscot Mt. Spring Co. 

14 Sears Street 

From 64 India Street to 199 Milk Street 

BOSTON, MASS. 

Telephone, Fort Hill 860-861 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



1851 



UNITED FOR CHARACTER AND SERVICE 



1910 



LIBRARY EVENING CLASSES GYMNASIUM 

SOCIAL SERVICE MORAL TRAINING 

COMRADESHIP 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ONE DOLLAR 

Small Extra Fees for Gymnasium, for Classes, and Special Entertainments 



BOSTON 

YOUNG MEN'S 

CHRISTIAN 

UNION 



48 BOYLSTON STREET 

ROOMS OPEN DAILY 8 A. M. TO 10 P. M. 



OFFICERS 

FRANK L. LOCKE, Pres't 
GEORGE S. BALDWIN, Vice-Pres't 
CHARLES L. BURRILL, Sec"y 
EDWARD A. CHURCH. Treas. 



TRUSTEES 

WILLIAM ENDICOTT 
EDWIN L. SPRAGUE 
WILLIAM L. RICHARDSON 
WALTER HUNNEWELL 
GEORGE G. CROCKER 



DIRECTORS 



WALTER H. DUGAN 
JOHN R. AINSLEY 
W. RODMAN PEABODY 
HORACE MORISON 



WILLIAM H. BROWN 
ROBERT W. FROST 
HERBERT D. HEATHFIELD 
WILLARD W. DOW 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTO 




A BENCH 

for Home 

or Shop 

or Garage 

will not cost much and prove to be a 
good investment. We are headquar- 
ters for benches, tools and supplies 
for manual training. Mechanics' tools 
at bottom prices. 

General— HARDWARE— Builder*' 

CHANDLER & BARBER 

122 SUMMER ST.. BOSTON 



Multigraph Letters 

THAT ARE IN A CLASS BY 
THEMSELVES 



Our workroom is equipped with the latest 
motor-driven machinery, producing letters ex- 
actly duplicating typewriting, printed by type- 
writer action, through a typewriter ribbon, with 
typewriter type and from left to right like a 
standard typewriter. 

We maintain a full corps of typewritists who 
do perfect filling in, if desired. 

Promptness, accuracy and the good quality 
of our work has won for us a class of patronage 
that could not be excelled — and the kind that 
stays. 

We will be glad to submit samples, or give 
quotations at any time on any quantity. 

We refer to one of our patrons, the BOSTON- 
1915. 

HOYT & DEWELL 



SUITE 92 



1 Beacon St. 



Boston 



Tel. Hay. 2004 



TR N TY COURT 

175 DARTMOUTH STREET 


• 

Modern non-housekeeping apartments. Suites of 
two and three rooms with bath. Central location, 
near electrics and railroads. For terms apply to 

W. J. MOOR, Manager 


DINING-ROOM AND PETIT LUNCH 


UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



Lectures on Social Service 

The Bureau of Social Research of 
Rhode Island announces a course of ten 
lectures on social welfare to be delivered 
by James Minnick, manager of the So- 
ciety for Organizing Charities; Wallace 
Hatch, Secretary of the Rhode Island 
Anti-tuberculosis Association; Rev. Tal- 
madge E. Root, secretary of the Rhode 
Island Federation of Churches; Miss 
Mary Gardner, superintendent of the 
District Nursing Association, and Mr. 
Aronovici, director of the Bureau of 
Social Research. 

The first ten lectures are announced as 
follows : 

ISIr. Aronovici: Heredity in the Light 
of Social Betterment; The Character of 
the Poor and their Environment; Social 
Conditions and Social Control; Social 
Reform and the Public. 

Mr. Hatch: The Health Problem a 
Social Problem; The Health Problem 
an Industrial Problem; The Newer Social 
Hygiene Ideals. 

Mr. Minnick: Causes of Poverty; 
Problem of the Individual Poor; Pre- 
ventive Charity. The charges for the 
first set of ten lectures will be $2. 



UNIVERSITY TRAVEL 



We offer tours to the Orient sailing in January 
and February under scholarly leadership and 
with a special Nile steamer and a yacht of our 
own in the Mediterranean. 

We offer lours to Europe sailing in April, 
May and June, visiting Greece, Italy, Central 
and Northern Europe. 

As a preparation for travel in Europe or for 
I)rivate study, we offer the 

UNIVERSITY PRINTS 

— 2,000 subjects at one penny each — reproduc- 
tions of masterpieces of European galleries. 

Send for announcements 



BUREAU OF UNIVERSITY TRAVEL 



TELEPHONE 
BACK BAY 2620 



TRINITY PLACE, BOSTON, MASS. 




"NECESSARY AS SOAP" 

KILLS GERMS 

CARBONOL is a necessity in every home. It will keep it germ-free as 
well as dirt-free. And what is more important than keeping out disease? 

Put CARBONOL in the water when washing doors, woodwork, 
dishes, etc. It will not only clean better than anything else you ever 
used, but it kills all germs, drives away flies, ants, roaches, moths, 
etc., and purifies the air. CARBONOL is perfectly harmless. 

lOc and 25c a bottle. 
Sample free on request. 

BARRETT MANUFACTURING CO. 

297 Franklin Street, Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



For Information Concerning 

BROOKLINE 

BoSon's Moft Attractive Suburb 
CONSULT 

FRANK A. RUSSELL 

OFFICES 

BROOKLINE BOSTON 



How to Abolish the "Pick Up Man" 

"Individual responsibility for clean 
streets" is thus expressed in verse in 
The Municipality for July, through 
the overworked Mary and her lamb. 

Mary had a little lamb 

Between her bread and butter, 
She didn't like its flavor, so 

She threw it in the gutter. 

Mary had a paper wrapped 

About her luncheon neat, 
She didn't need it any more 

So she threw it in the street. 

Mary dropped her orange peel. 
She thought it was no harm, 

Just where poor I might slip on it 
And nearly break my arm. 

Mary gaily tripped away. 
On pleasure she was bound. 

And, oh, it was so long before. 
The "pick-up" man came 'round. 

Mary did not look about 

To see the refuse can, 
For, if she had, there wouldn't be 

Any need of a "pick-up" man. 




Multigraph 
Typewriting 



Miss Keith has added to her 
equipment for producing all 
kinds of circular matter, a de\'ice 
which will print letter heads in 
various styles of type, thus 
eliminating the time and trouble 
entailed in dealing with the 
printer. Miss Keith refers to 
themanagementof Boston-1915 
for endorsement of both quality and delivery of multi- 
graph work, which she is executing for its organization. 
You are invited to call at Room 428 — same floor as 
Boston-1915 — to see samples of this work and obtain 
quotations. 

STENOGRAPHY 

AND 

TYPEWRITING 

Scientific and Technical 

Manuscripts a Specialty 



MISS INA A. KEITH 

Room 428 6 Beacon St., Boston 

Workroom 1126 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



BROWN BROTHERS & CO. 



pantos^ 



60 STATE STREET - - BOSTON 



Members of New York, Boston 
and Philadelphia Stock Exchanges 



Investment Securities Foreign Exchange 
International Cheques Letters of Credit 



BROWN, SHIPLEY & CO., London 

FOUNDERS COURT, LOTHBURY, E. C. 

AND 

West End Office for the special convenience of Travellers 

AT 

123 PALL MALL, S. W. 

In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



TO SET YOU THINKING 



Here is a clipping that hits the nail on 
the head. It was written by Mr. Robert 
Frothingham, and if ever he told the truth, 
he told it here. 

"The mere size of an advertising agency cuts mighty 
httle figure. The reputation it bears is all-important. 
Treat the matter just as you would the selection of a 
physician or a lawyer. 

"And if you can only spend $5,000 or less — all the 
more reason why you should seek the ablest agency in 
the field and fay unstintingUj for the highest type of 
service, because you of all men, with your small ap- 
propriation, cant afford to lose. 

"It's easy to spend a big appropriation. So much 
can be accomplished with a lot of money. But the 
agent who can make a 'dent' with a small outlay — 
he's the fellow to line up with. He's looking to make 
a healthy, growing advertiser of you. If he can in- 
crease your sales in proportion to the amount of your 
money he spends in advertising, that's all you can 
ask. Find out what he has done for others — and form 
your own judgment. 

"If you'll tackle the advertising proposition in this 
way, most kind and gentle reader, you won't say its 
'a gamble.' You'll say it's the running mate of suc- 
cessful manufacturing and merchandising." 

Let us add that the whole principle of 
compensation to the advertising agent for 
his work is wrong. The manufacturer to- 
day thinks he can buy brains as he can buy 
merchandi.se. He does not stop to think 
that when he pays the advertising agent 
a commission on the expense created by his 
advertising, it is hinnan nature for the adver- 
tising agent to create all the expense possible 
in order to increa.se his own compensation. 



Neither does the manufacturer stop to 
think that when he crowds that adver- 
tising agent down to a lower percentage 
of commission just that minute he crowds 
him all the more to make his advertising 
expense bigger. 

That same manufacturer looks aghast at 
the agent when he presumes to suggest 
that he get a little one, two or three 
per cent on the increase in the business 
from the time the agent begins to work 
with him; and never for a moment thinks 
that the agent is like any other man and 
wants an incentive to work. If through 
expert judgment on the part of the agent 
that manufactiu'cr is enabled to get a new 
viev.'point and increase his business the 
agent is entitled to one or two per cent 
of that increase, but as a ride the manu- 
factiu'er wants it all — not a hog from choice 
but from ignorance. V\\\o is to blame? 
No one but the advertising agent, who 
almost turns himself inside out for the 
privilege of doing business with this manu- 
facturer on almost any commission the 
manufacturer is willing to allow on the 
i&xpense the agent will create. 

Is it any wonder that advertising agents 

are hy some considered "sharpers"? 

Just think this over, j\Ir. INIanufacturer 
and Mr. Advertising Man. 

A. W. ELLIS AGENCY 
10 High Street Boston, Mass. 



Among the Fashionable Shops 



Call at Ward's For 

Christmas 



Stationery 




Fine Papers and Envelopes in Fancy 
Boxes. 

Monogram and Initial Paper. 
Unique and Imported Brass Goods. 
Fine Leather Goods, Bags, Purses, etc. 
Fountain Pens of every description. 

Samuel Ward Co. 

r)7-(_).'> Franklin St., Boston 



Maynard & Co. 

Incorporated 

Jewellers 
and Silversmiths 



HOLIDA Y GIFTS 

4i6 Boylston St. 



PInkham & Smith 
Company 

Prescription Opticians 

Manufacturers, Importers 
and Dealers in 

OPTICAL GOODS, CAMERAS 

AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 

SUPPLIES 

Two (288-290 Boylston St / Boston 
StoresjlSi BromfieldSt. I Mass. 



E. J. STATES 
Art Embroideries 

Stamping 
and Designing 

328 Boylston Street 

Opposite Arlington St. 

BOSTON 



O.Cujuroaipo 

Flore ntine Arts 

m m 

Terra Cotta and 
Majolica Wares 

Tlie Only .Store of its Kind in New England 

292 Boylston Street 

Boston, Mass. 



Superior Fabrics 

DAVIS 



East India House 



373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 



IRVING 

AND 

CASSON 

Custom Furniture, Interior 
Finish, Wood Mantels 

Decorations and Upholstery 
Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 



RUGS 



HKI-AIKK!) 
( LKANSKII 
STUAICIITKXKK 
KK.nollKI.KII 
UlSIM'EtTKU, K«e. 



Oriental Process Rug Renovating Co. 

K. M. GIRAGOSIAX, Mgr. 

Office, 128a Tremont Street 
Works, 19 Scotia St., Back Bay 

Oxford 1025— Tel.— Back [Jay 3963-R 



John J. Stevens & Co. 



300 Boylston Street 



Ladies', Misses' and Children's 

FURNISHINGS 



Custom Work a Specialty 



ARTHUR W. W OODEST 
(Formerly with R. M. Lilley) 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS 
Covered and Repaired 



The Umbrella 
Hospital 



CANES MOUNTED 
in Any Style 

73 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 



M 



arceau 



160 Tremont St. 

BOSTON 

The name signifies best 

results in portrait 

photography 



C. Lothrop Higgins 

Millinery 

406 Boylston Street 
Boston, Mass. 

Established Twenty-one Years 



NEW BOSTON 





Just Delicious 



"THE SPRING MAID" 

Christie MacDonald in "The Spring Maid" is 
the attraction at the Tremont Theatre. "The 
Spring Maid" was secured for pnMkiction in this 
country through the efforts of Andreas Dippel. 
For three seasons it has been sung on the continent 
and is now playing in St. Petersburg. 

A large cast of artists assists Miss MacDonald, 
including Elgie Bowcn, William Burress, Lawrence 
Rea, Ralph Errolle, Jessie Bradbury, Charles 
Meyers, Otto Hoffman, Blanche Sherwood, Arthur 
Thalasso, Edward Met calf, Beth Stone, Paid 
Chute and Tom MacXaughton. 

An augmented orchestra of thirty pieces under 
the personal direction of Max Bendix, late con- 
ductor of the Metropolitan Opera House, New 
York, is a prominent feature. 



"KATIE-DID' 

For the fourth time Joseph M. Gaites has selected 
Karl Hoschna to compose the music for his latest 
musical production, which he has given the odd 
but pleasing title of "Katie-Did." 

"Katie-Did" is a musical version of the famous 
farce of a few years back, called "My Friend From 
India." The lyrics and incidental dialogue neces- 
sary in transposing the piece from three acts to 
two, has been done^by W. C.^Duncan''and[Frank 
Smithson. 

The first performance of "Katie-Did" took 
place at the Boston Theater on November 28. 




A BENCH with a set of good tools 
cannot fail to be a good invest- 
ment from any point of vitw — 
health, convenience, saving of cash 
outlay. ^ The cost may be $7.00 to 
$25.00 or more. A "Handy" Tool 
Box may be bought for $1.25. Cab- 
inets and Chests of Tools $5.00 to 
$25.00. q Photographic Goods, 
Cutlery, Skates, etc., all of which make 

Useful Holiday Gifts 

CHANDLER & BARBER 

124 SUMMER ST., BOSTON 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




Copyright f'v Li"ic Caswell Smith, London 



FORBES-ROBERTSON 

in "The Passing^of the Third Floor^Back." 



NEW BOSTON 



CHANGE OF PRICE 



We have decided to take an important step. We shall raise 
tlie subscription price to 15 ct-nts a copy; $1.50 a year, on 
January 1, I'Jll. We shall materially increase the si/.c cf 
the magazine, add new departments, and strcngtlien it in 
every way ixjssible. 

Electrician and Meclianic 

believes m a fair deal, and we shall give every reader a fair 
opportunity to have the magazine as long as he wants at 
the old price. Vou may subscribe now for as many years 
as you want. Next year you will pay for twelve numbers 
at is cents each, $1.80, so that you will save about half by 
subscril)ing now. Hand the subscription to your newsdealer, 
it you prefer, but do it before you forget it. We want every 
rcadei to lake full advantage of this. Send in your subscription 
at $1.00 a year now, for after January 1, I'Jll, it will cost you 

$1.50 PER YEAR 

To be frank with you, we would like to have every reader 
send us a money order for five years' subscription. ]f \ou 
cant do that, order it for three years, for $3.00, two, or c\cn 
one year but don't neglect to take the opportunity. You will 
g I a better and bigger magazine, more articles, more pic- 
lures, more departments. Don't delay, don't forget. 



1.00 



SUBSCRIBE NOW $ 

^r THE OLD PRICE 

11 you will get three of your friends to subscribe, we will give 
)ou >our own subscription free. That's worth while, too. 

SAMPSON PUPLISHING COMPANY 

1214 POPE BUILDING : BOSION, MASS. 




FRANCIS WILSON 

Mollis Street Theatre 



jams 1^. 




BOSTON 

''Hot Point'' Capell Gas Iron 

Percolators 

Chafing Dishes 

Table Cutlery 

Bath Room Fixtures 



Useful Household Hardware 
at Reasonable Prices 

4 HIGH 3T. 

(Cor. Summer) 

TELEPHONE, FORT HILL, 592 



^\ Stone & Forsyth 

67 Kingston Street 
BOSTON] 

_ Telephone Oxford 2754 

OF 

ALL 

KINDS 



For 
Mill 
Store and 
Family Use 

IN ANY 
QUANTITY 



Specialities in 

High Grade and Xorel 
]f' rapping Paper 
and Twine 




Bags and 

Envelopes 
Mode to 
Order 



Manufacturers of 
Folding Paper Boxes 
Jlygicnic Paper Goods 
Cuspidors and Sputum Cups 

Factory at Stoneham 



Paper Totvels 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 






C "-i: ;l" "-j. :c "j. .l" 'j. .l" u. .l' u. .l" 

• «- •:'_^ ■.< ■^^' y. :i-t'.y. y.-'.^l. y.-y.y. y.y.y. :: y. y. .'. : . y. 

S Hub EnciRavinci Co. 



^ HALF-TONE ENGRAVERS | 



r. ."!■ ;;■ 
L' '-] r ' ,C: 



l&ll 173 SUMMER ST. BOSTON 

l-JBwfi^ * -li TtL OXFORD aoa 

|P;;:l-u:; __^ ^...,^^...,.....^.,, ..... 

Wt^\'y- ^'j/- ^vs- K's- ■x:^- ■■'wf- •■'w^- ^^T- ■x:^- ■x:'"- •■ 
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(T>mfiKVT>ortfi>fl)fi>(i>w<!>fl>r>i 



See samples of our work in this magazine 



"SEVEN DAYS" 
"Seven Days," now playing at the Park Theatre 
after a long run in New York, is one of the most 
successful of a number of farce comedies that have 
recently been put on the American stage. Mary 
Roberts llinehart and Avery Hapgood are the 
authors of this story of a week's quarantine of a 
dozen people, brought about because "a Japanese 
butler had red spots." The situations arc intensely 
amusing and the whole play is clean and whole- 
some. 

"- 

FRANCIS WILSON, IN "THE BACHELOR'S 
HAin ' 

At the IloUis Street Theater Francis Wilson is 
presenting his successful comedy, "The Hachelor's 
Baby." Mr. Wilson, for the first time in his career^ 
is appearing in a double (•ai)a(ity, that of author 
as well as that of principal player, mikI Ik- is ex- 
ceptionally well suited in both roles. The comedy- 
farce is a delicious blend of humor and pathos, 
there being just enough of the latter to bring the 
former into stronger relief. The plot concerns a 
bachelor and a baby and tells in three acts how the 
former, who hates children generally, is made to 
love them by a delightful little miss he at first 
refuses to see. Mr. Wilson and "The Bachelor's 
Baby" will remain at the Hollis until the week 
before Christmas. 




CHRISTIE ^LvcDONALD 
Tremont Theatre 



NEW BOSTON 



ESTABLISHED:1846 




Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

Milk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 
Certified, Hood Farm, Modified for Babies 

Buttermilk 

Put up in Sealed Glass Jars 

Daily deliveries on regular Hood teams iii 
Greater Boston, North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
Manchester, N. H. 

Delivered by express to any address. 
494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company In New 
England. 



Multigraph Letters 

THAT ARE IN A CLASS BY 
THEMSELVES 



Our workroom is equipped with the latest 
motor-driven machinery, producing letters ex- 
actly duplicating typewriting, printed by type- 
writer action, through a typewriter ribbon, with 
typewriter type and from left to right like a 
standard typewriter. 

We maintain a full corps of typewritists who 
do perfect filling in, if desired. 

Promptness, accuracy and the good quality 
of our work has won for us a class of patronage 
that could not be excelled — and the kind that 
stays. 

We will be glad to submit samples, or give 
quotations at any time on any quantity. 

We refer to one of our patrons, the BOSTON- 
1915. 

HOYT & DEWELL 



SUITE 92 



1 Beacon St. 



Boston 



Tel. Hay. 2004 



The Cow Barn — T. D. Cook Catering Farm — Norfolk, ]Mass. 




We safeguard our Patrons by production of milk 
and cream on our Farm under sanitary conditions 

T. D. Cooli & Co., Caterers 



88 Boylston Street, Boston 



Ice Cream 

Ice Cream suitable for your use deserves all the protection that the best regulations 
for milk hygiene have suggested. Cream shipped fresh from farm every morning. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



"THE YANKEE GIRL" 

The attraction announced for the week of De- 
cember 5 at the Majestic Theatre is Blanche Ring, 
in the second and hist week of her Boston engage- 
ment. Miss Rings present vehicle is a nuisical 
play, "The Yankee (lirl,"" the work of (icorge \. 
Ilohart and Sylvio Ilein. Mr. llohart's book ditt'ers 
radically from the usual so-called "plot" injecteil 
into long-sutfering musical comedy, since it con- 
tains a plausible and coherent story, consistently 
carried out. 

The company with which Ia'w Fields and Frederic 
McKay have surrounded Miss Ring is one of more 
than usual merit. It is headed by Harry (lilfoil, 
the mimic and comedian so long identified with 
the Hoyt farces. Others in the cast include Bertha 
Shalek, William P. Carleton, Marguerite Wright, 
Halliday and Curley, Juan Willasana, Paul Porter, 
Cyril Ring, Margaret Malcolm, J. E. Caldwell, 
William De Ball and Fannie Kidston. 



"THE PASSING OF THE THIRD FLOOR 
BACK" 

Forbes-Robertson has opened a four weeks en- 
gagement at the Shubert Theatre in "The Passing 
of the Third Floor Back." The well-known ability 
of Mr. Robertson in combination with the renuirk- 
able production in which he appears, assures the 
success of this short run at the Shubert. For 
thirty-six years Mr. Robertson has been well 
known in the English and American stage. At 
no time has he received more favorable commenda- 
tion, however, than in his connection with "The 
Passing of the Third Floor Back." 



NOBSCOT MT. 

SPRING 
WATER 

From the Spring Direct to You 

The purest spring water you can 
obtain is none too good. Quality 
(not price) is an absolute neces- 
sity and should be considered. 

Analysis on application. 
Prompt delivery. 

Nobscot Mt. Spring Co. 

14 Sears Street 

From 64 India Street to 199 Milk Street 

BOSTON, MASS. 



Telephone, Fort Hill 860-861 



L u n d i n 

Turkish 

Baths 

20-22 
CARVER STREET 

Next to Park Square 



In our specially constructed building 

are combined two separate and complete 

establishments with accommodations for 

men and women 



PHONE OXFORD 2068 




" I always use Sawyer's Crystal Ammonia 

and Borax for washing dolly's lace dress, 

as it does away with the rubbing. I then 

rinse and use Sawyer's Crystal Blue." 

SAWYER CRYSTAL BLUE CO., 
88 Broad Street, Boston, Maas. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



To Set You Thinking 



A man representing hirge mill interests recently said 
to the writer that he had been thinking some about 
this matter of advertising, but could not seem to apply 
it to his business, because he made many different 
grades of the same kind of goods, which were sold 
through selling agents and jobbers before they reached 
the retailer. While he believed that in some way or 
other he could attach his business to this great power 
of publicity, he did not know where to begin. 

Here was my answer. "Have you in your mill a 
row of machines making a $1.00 article, and next to 
it a row of machines making a $1.50 article, and next 
to it a row of machines making a $3.00 article.'" To 
which he replied, "Yes, practically so." I asked him, 
"Is there any difference in the cost of these machines, 
any difference in the labor expense of these machines, 
or any difference in the selling expense of the product 
from these machines.'" He said, "No. In fact, one 
man operates all three machines, and the only differ- 
ence is in the cost of the material." I then asked him 
which row paid him the greatest amount of profit, 
and he replied, "Of course, the $3.00 one." 

"Now this $3.00 article of yours is one that can be 
generally consumed by the masses, and your energies 
should be devoted to the end that all three rows of 
machines may be employed making the $3.00 article. 
This is where advertising applies to your business. 
The effect that this will have upon your business will 
be the saving along all lines. You will not have to 
buy from so many people. You will not have to buy 
so many lines. You will not have the detail in any 
avenue of manufacture that you have now, and every 
day you will be reaching toward making this $3.00 
product standard for your line of merchandise. 

"The increase of your consumption of the one kind 
of material will have a tendency to reduce the cost 
of that material, and as time goes on possibly would 
give you the preference in the market; a few things will 
grow out of this concentrated effort that at present 
you and I are unable to see. Furthermore, you will 
have not only an asset in the name of your product, 
but you will have an absolute assurance of the sale 
of your product." 

Now then, Mr. Reader, I have said enough to set 
you thinking. It set this man thinking, and I am to 
have another interview with him in the near future. 
Advertising with wisdom behind goods with merit is 
an irresistible power. Study your business and con- 
sult any first-class advertising agent as to where you 
can connect it, with this force about which you now 
know little or nothing. 

A. W. ELLIS AGENCY, 
10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



BOSTON 

"Hot Point" Capell Gas Iron 

Percolators 

Chafing Dishes 

Table Cutlery 

Bath Room Fixtures 



Useful Household Hardware 
at Reasonable Prices 

4 HIGH ^T. 

(Cor. Summer) 

TELEPHONE, FORT HILL, 592 



ESTABLISHED 1846 







^lUl^ 



rsAOG w- 



Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

Milk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 
Certified, Hood Farm, Modified for Babies 

Buttermilk 

Put up in Sealed Glass Jars 

Daily deliveries on regular Hood teams in 
Greater Boston, North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
Manchester, N. H. 

Delivered by express to any address. 
494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Laritest Independent Dairy Company in New 
England. 



Among the Fashionable Shops 


STATIONERY, 
CALENDARS and 
DIARIES 

For Business and Home Use 

^ - V Account Books 1911 

1 Iff 1 Loose Leaf Systems 
III for all businesses 

W grri' 0^7-63 Franklin 
T ▼ diU Street, Boston 


E. J. STATES 
Art Embroideries 

Stamping 
and Designing 

328 Boylston Street 

Opposite Arlington St. 

BOSTON 


IRVING 

AND 

CASSON 

Custom Furniture, Interior 
Finish, Wood Mantels 

Decorations and Upholstery 
Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 


PIANOS 

Boston's Great Art Product 
492 Boylston Street 


O.Cu5Urr)2^i70 

Florentine Arts 

Terra Cotta and 
Majolica Wares 

The Only Store of Its Kind In New England 

292 Boylston Street 

Boston, Mass. 


n 1 1 I" «i'':ANsh:i> 

■# ■ I ■_ % STltAKlHTKNKU 

n 11 11 _« ItKIIOIIKLKI) 

1 ■ \0 %M \0 IIISINFKCTKI), Etc. 


Oriental Process Rug Renovating Co. 

K. M. GIRAGOSIAN, Mgr. 

Office, 128a Tremont Street 
Works, 19 Scotia St., Back Bay 

Oxford 1025 — Tel.— Back Bay 3963-R 


Pinkham & Smith 
Company 

Prescription Opticians 

Manufacturers, Importers 
and Dealers in 

OPTICAL GOODS, CAMERAS 

AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 

SUPPLIES 

Two ^ 288-290 Boylston St. ) Boston 
Stores ^33 Bromfield St. ) Mass. 


Superior Fabrics 

DAVIS 

East India House 

373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 


John J. Stevens & Co. 

300 Boyl$ton Street 

Ladies', Misses' and Children's 
FURNISHINGS 

Custom Work a Specialty 


ARTHUR W. WOODEST 
(Formerly with R. M. Lllley) 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS 
Covered and Repaired 

The Umbrella 
Hospital 

CANES MOUNTED 
in Any Style 

73 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 


Marceau 

1 60 Tremont St. 
BOSTON 

The name signifies best 

results in portrait 

photography 


Reduced Prices 
for balance of season 
on all our trimmed 

Millinery 
C. Lothrop Higgins 

406 Boylston Street 



Among the Fashionable Shops 



A. L. La Vers Co. 

Telephone. Back Bay 1344 

190-192 Boylston St. 

32-34 Park Square 

Boston, Mass. 

Specialty Shop 

FURS. MILLINERY 

GOWNS. DRESSES 

WAISTS and COATS 



^'^""■^^ 




m^.J^ 



^^ 



Maynard & Co. 

Incorporated 
DEALERS IN 

GOLD, SILVER AND 
PRECIOUS GEMS 

Gifts for All Occasions 
$5.00 to $500.00 

416 BOYLSTON ST. 



DECORATOR 

WALL PAPERS — Latest de- 
sign, foreign and domestic, with 
materials to match. Hangings, 
Laces, Rugs and Furniture. 

Agent for WOOD-KRUSTA 
a perfect wood-panel effect 

H. C. MUNROE 

29 Temple Place, Boston, Mass. 



Established 1858 



Edw. F. Kakas & Sons 



FURS 



364 BOYLSTON STREET 



The Delft Lunch and 
Tea Room 

429 Boylston Street 

NEAR BERKELEY 

LUNCHEON 

AFTERNOON TEA 

TABLE D'HOTE DINNER 

5.30 TO 8 

FIFTY CENTS 



EXCLUSIVE MODELS 



Corsets, Waists and Neckwear 

CHANDLER'S 

CORSET 

STORE 

MRS. GEORGE CHANDLER 

12-14 Winter St., & 422 Boylston St. 



May we demonstrate to you 
the 

New Hallet & Davis 
Player- Piano? 

Plays the whole key-board 

Hallet & Davis Piano Co. 

146 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. 



Burleigh & Martin 

(Incorporated) 

CA TERERS 

Telephone, Back Bay 3940 

Berkeley Street and 

St. James Avenue 

Back Bay, Boston, Mass. 



WALSH 

jfHilliner 

Correct Fashions in Even- 
ing Hats. 

New Crush Models in Fur. 

276 Boylston Street 
BOSTON 




HENRY F. MILLER & SONS 

PIANO COMPANY 
395 BOYLSTON ST., BOSTON 



Lusbus 
Cbocolaites 

"The Sign of the Kind" 

The Aldrich-Clisbee Co. 

BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



New Boston 191 1 Calendar 

AN ARTISTIC. HANDSOMELY MOUNTED 
REMINDER OF A FUTURE CITY 

Showing the new cover design on this issue of NEW 
BOSTON will be forwarded on the receipt of ten 
cents in stamps. 

Anyone sending us $1.00 for a year's subscription 
to NEW BOSTON will receive the calendar without 
extra charge. 

Publishers NEW BOSTON, 6 Beacon St., Boston. Mass. 



Health in Chicago's Slums 

Chicago has a new ward superintend- 
ent, Miss Annie Murphj^ who is leading 
a "baby saving crusade" recently put 
under way by Superintendent of Streets 
Cochrane. Miss Murphy has been de- 
tailed "back of the yards" by the street 
superintendent. She has drawn up this 
set of rules for housewives which has 
been i)rinted in Polish, Lithuanian and 
English. Miss Murphy thinks that those 
who live in crowded parts of Chicago 
often fail to keep the city ordinances 
merely because they do not understand 
them. These rules will clear up the 
situation, she thinks : 

Do you want to keep your children 
well? Do you want to save doctor bills? 
Then mind these rules: 

You must have two cans for garbage 
and ashes. 

Put all garbage in one. 

Put all ashes, tin cans, papers and 
waste in the other one. 

Put papers in bundles on top of ash cans. 

Keep these cans near the alley. 

You must not throw garbage into the 
yard or alley. 

You must not throw mattresses into 
yard or vacant alley. 



Do not pay the driver. No driver is 
permitted to receive money. The city 
pays him. 

Penalty: If you do not keep these 
rules you will be fined. 

If your cans are not emptied twice a 
week, send a postal card to R. M. Coch- 
rane, superintendent of streets. City 
Hall. 




SCENE FROM "ARSENE LUPIN" 



NKW BOSTON 




Mellin's Food Babies are Strong and Healthy 



Would you have your hiihy strong and healthy? 

Then you must follow Nature's principles in feeding him. 

If your baby cannot be nursed, lie viust have food that isfresli. 

You cannot take away from him the fresh, life-giving mother's milk and give him dried or cooked 
milk and expect that he will grow as he should. 

But you can give him freah emo's milk modified by Mellin's Food to exactly suit his individual 
needs. When you do this your baby will get the fresh, wonderful, life-giving element that Nature 
demands. 

Start your baby on Mellin's Food today, and put him in the class with the thousands upon thou- 
sands of other healthy and happy Mellin's Food babies. 

We have a very helpful book, "The Care and Feeding of Infants," which tells just the things you ought to know about feeding and 
caring for your baby. We shall be glad to send it to you, together with a Trial Size bottle of Mellin's Food, if you will write us. 

MELLIN'S FOOD COMPANY BOSTON, MASS. 



' - ' 



^:i3 



SHAWMUT RUBBERS 

■# NOT MADE BY A TRUST 




FOR SALE BY ALL GOOD DEALERS 

In answering advertisements please mention NliVV BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



Architects and Tuberculosis 

The Boston Association for the Relief 
and Control of Tuberculosis is endeavor- 
ing to enlist the architects of the city 
in its campaign of ])revention. A letter 
sent to every Boston architect makes 
the following suggestions: 

OITDOOU SLEEPING 

There is an inereasing doinand for open sleeping 
porches, halconies and roof spaces, and the possi- 
bilities of these lu'alth-fji\'ing (ie\'ices should he 
brought to the attention of all thos(> planning to 
build homes. 

NOON DAY RESTS 

In constructing stores, shops and mercantile 
establishments owners should be persuaded to 
provide open air acconnnodations for noon lunch- 
eons and recreation. The roof is the most available 
spot for these resting places, and is especially 
desirable in the congested sections of the city. 
Many flat roofs now in existence could easily be 
turned into such rests at little ex|)ense and with 
their wide commanding views they should be very 
popular as well as beneficial for several months 
in the year. These open air rests should eventually 
pay for themselves in the increased efficiency of 
the force using them. 

SCHOOLS 

Following close upon the remarkable results 
obtained in open air schools for anaemic and 
tubercular children comes a demand for open air 
rooms, with at least one end that can be thrown 
entirely open. Here again in constructing new 
school buildings the roof may be used to advantage 
for both teaching and recrt'ation purposes, removed 
as it is from the dusty, dirty and noisy streets. 



The Notman 
Photographic Co. 

3 and 4 Park Street 
Boston 

Makers of 

Artistic Photographs 



Portraits and Flash Light 
Groups of all sorts 



On January 2d, 1911, 
we shall reduce our 
prices to the 1908 
level, maintaining 
the high standard 
for which this house 
is favorably known. 

The cost of supplies is 
somewhat lower, and 
with an enlarged steam 
plant and bakery, re- 
cently installed, thereby 
cutting the cost of pro- 
duction, we look for an 
increased patronage 
that will justify us in 
taking this action. 

MARSTON'S 

Restaurant 
25 Brattle St. 17 Hanover St. 




" I always use Sawyer's Crystal Ammonia 

and Borax for washing dolly's lace dress, 

as it does away with the rubbing. 1 then 

rinse and use Sawyer's Crystal Blue." 

SAWYER CRYSTAL BLUE CO., 
88 Broad Street, Boston, Maa*. 



In answering advertisementi please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



DAVID WARFIELD IN "THE RETURN OF 
PETER GRIMM" 

The production of a new Belasco play is always 
an ovcnt of first importance to the theater world. 
The appearance of David Warfield, the foremost 
of American actors, never fails to arouse an intense 
interest surpassing all other theatrical events, in 
its artistic and dramatic importance. 

That Boston is to have the rare privilege of wit- 
nessing the consummation of this artistic union 
is the promise held forth to our theatergoers for 
New Year's week. On Monday, January 2, at 
the Hollis Street Theater, David Warfield will ap- 
pear in a new play by David Belasco, the occasion 
marking its first performance on any stage. 

"The Return of Peter Grimm" is the title se- 
lected and promises to be far and away the most 
remarkable of all Mr. Belasco's dramas. 

Immediately under the title line, Mr. Belasco 
has indicated the nature of sub-theme by two 
sentences which stand as a foreword, and which, 
conjoined with the title itself, gives a more com- 
prehensive idea of the nature of "The Return of 
Peter Grimm," as a literary and dramatic work 
than anything else he might say. The foreword 
reads : 

"Only one thing really counts — only one thing 
— love. It is the only thing that tells in the long 
run, nothing else endures to the end." 

David Warfield will enact the role of Peter 
Grimm, whose return to earth constitutes the action 
of the play. The supporting cast will include: 
Marie Bates, Janet Dunbar, Marie Reichardt, 
John Sainpolis, Thomas Meighan, Joseph Brennan, 
William Boag, John F. Webber, Percy Helton and 
Tonv Bevan. 



"ARSENE LUPIN" 

Boston has heard much concerning the tri- 
umphs of "Arsene Lupin" in New York, following 
its sensation in Paris, but as yet there has been no 
opportunity of seeing it uj)on the local stage. 
That chance will come on Monday, January 2. 
Charles Frohman will present the play at the 
Park Theater with the actors who were identified 
with the run at the Lyceum Theater in New York. 
It is the work of Francis de Croisset and Maurice 
Le Blank. "Arsene Lupin" depicts a type of 
polished criminal baffling in every respect and 
absorbing in all his undertakings. The plot is one 
of the greatest mystery, and carries one along in 
the closest of fascination. 



"THE ECHO" 

Miss Bessie McCoy in Charles Dillingham's 
"The Echo," inaugurated a brief engagement at 
the Colonial Theater on Monday, December 20. 
Miss McCoy comes to Boston with the reputation 
of having scored a success at Mr. Dillingham's 
Globe Theater in New York. Miss McCoy in- 
troduces five different dances, in as many at- 
tractive costumes. John E. Hazzard has the chief 
comedy role, while Mrs. Annie Yeamans, the 
veteran comedienne, appears as the hotel sten- 
ographer. 



Insurance Offices 

Recommended to Readers of NEW BOSTON 



Gilmour & Coolidge 
Insurance 

Telephone Main 4800 

114 Water Street 
BOSTON 



PATTERSON, WYLDE & WINDELER 

MARINE FIRE LIABILITY 

INSURANCE 

106 Chamber of Commerce Building 
Boston, Mass. 



Boston 
Mutual Life Insurance Company 

A YOUNG. STRONG, SAFE 
AND GROWING COMPANY 

77 Kilby Street, Boston 



Protection to owners and to those who 
lend on Real Estate 

MASSACHUSETTS 

TITLE INSURANCE CO. 

70 State St., Boston 

Send for information 

Name 

Address 



Leading Banking Concerns 

OF BOSTON 



FITZGERALD^ HUBBARD & CO. 



Members New York and Boston 
Stock Exchange 



95 Milk Street 



BOSTON 



R. L DAY & CO. 

BANKERS 

35 Congress Street 37 Wall Street 
BOSTON NEW YORK 



NEW BOSTON 



^. >j-f**^j^'^^ "\\ ii ;r^j>* ix.- , . 




DOROTHY DONNELLY IN "MADAME X" 



"MADAME X" 

At the Majestic Theater, opening December 
26, Henry W. Savage will offer for the first time 
in Boston, the most intense drama of modern 
times, Madame X, fresh from its long runs at the 
New Amsterdam and Lyric Theaters, New York, 
with the original prodnction and cast. This drama, 
which has created as profonnd an impression in 
this country as in Europe, was originally presented 
at the Porte Ste Martin Theater, Paris, and is 
from the pen of Alexandre IJisson, who up to the 
time of this play has been known only as a writer of 
farces. Madame X was put forward rather 
cautiously by its author. It is declared that the 
play of Madame X is a liberal education in the 
drama. It is clean cut and cameo like. There is 
not a useless word or syllable and the action moves 
forward to the final denouement with a sureness 
that^carries the spectator along, cau.ses him to 
forget that he is not witnessing real life but a rejjre- 
sentation of it. In the great court rooui scene 
which constitutes the last act over one hundred 
people are employed. The cast includes Dorothy 



Donnelly, who created the role of the unhappy 
heroine in English, achieving one of the most re- 
markable succes.ses of recent years. She is assisted 
l)y Williiim Elliott, as the yotmg lawyer; Malcolm 
Williams, W. H. Dennv and Robert Paton (Jibbs. 



Dorchester Awning Company 

(INC.) 
Manufacturers of all kinds of Canvas Goods 



Awnings, Tents, Etc. 

WEDDING CANDPIES AND LARGE TENTS TO LET 
PIAZZAS FITTED UP FOR SLEEPING OUT 

1548-1558 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



To Set You Thinking 



If you are a man witli interests in large 
manufacturing corporations, it is quite 
probable that at times you find j^ourself 
puzzling over this problem of advertising. 

It is at just such times that you can well 
afford to call in any good advertising agent 
and let him in on your thoughts. 

You know this agent has a different view- 
point than yours. He knows for sure what 
the other fellow has been writing on the 
outside of your fence while you have been 
absorbed with what was going on inside. 
Then too, he hasn't had a chance to go 
stale on your problem. 

This same agent has rubbed elbows with 
many selling problems. He has learned to 
dive for the cause of every effect; he 
has learned to pick the vital points in a 
man's manufacturing problem as well as 
in the selling problem right out of the very 
words of the manufacturer's own mouth, 
when the latter did not recognize the vital 
factors because he had been staring them 
in the face too long. 

If your goods have real merit, wake up, 
come to, rouse. New England Conservative, 
make the merits of your products known. 
Then the demand for them will be strong 
enough to straighten crooked freight rates, 
build steamboat lines to Texas, surmount 
every obstacle that now lies in the way of 
supplying genuine intelligent demand for 
honest goods honestly sold. 

The world's great press is at your dis- 
posal, its power is almost limitless, and yet 
as a power in your business you pass it by. 

Get in touch with advertising men! 

A. W. ELLIS AGENCY, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



Boston 
Garte 



excels in wearval 
Fully guaranteed— 
a new pair free 
if you find an 
imperfedion 
Easy to buy 
because all 
dealers have it. 



Sample Pair. Cotton, 25c. Silk. 50c 



GEORGE FROST CO 

Boston, U.S.A. 




Fits smoothly and k 
up the sock with neatness 
and security. It is com 
fortable because its 
wearer doesn't feel it. 

The Bo^on Garter 
keeps its ^renglh and 



ESTABLISHED 1846 




Cream and all 
Dairy Products 

Milk for Nursery, Table and Kitchen 
Certified, Hood Farm, Modified for Babies 

Buttermilk 

Put up in Sealed Glass Jars 

Daily deliveries on regular Hood teams iii 
Greater Boston, North Shore Resorts, Lawrence, 
Manchester, N. H. 

Delivered by express to any address. 

494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company in New 
England. 



Among the Fashionable Shops 


WARD'S 

I ,FAK NOT 

FOUNTAIN PEN 

M ^ May be curried in any pos- 
M W Hioii In the Pocket, BaK or 
^V . M| Trunk and it 

I nt CANNOT LEAK 

I la 1 SulinierKcil pen point al- 

■ W ■ ways ready for instant use. 

■ Ml "on't fail to see these pens. 

■ aL m .\sk your slalioner orcall at 

W orH' 0^7-63 Franklin 
T ▼ dIU Street, Boston 


E. J. STATES 
Art Embroideries 

Stamping 
and Designing 

328 Boylston Street 

Opposite Arlington St. 

BOSTON 


IRVING 

AND 

CASSON 

Custom Furniture, Interior 
Finish, Wood Mantels 

Decorations and Upholstery 
Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 


fctm^l|am(nt 

PIANOS 

Boston's Great Art Product 
492 Boylston Street 


O.Cu5Urr)2ir70 

Florentine Arts 

Annual Mark Down Sale 

Terra Cotta and 
Majolica Wares 

The Only Store of its Kind In New England 

292 Boylston Street 

Boston, Mass. 


■^ ■ ■ ^^ ^^ ItKI'AIICK!) 

DIIP "^^''^" 

mf m ■ ■_ ^ M IIAHMITKNKII 

■1 U 11 J| KKMOI.KI.KI. 

■ 1 %0 VI \0 l(ISI.\FK(TKII, Kte. 

Oriental Process Rug Renovating Co. 

K. M. GIRAGOSIAN. Mgr. 

Office, 128a Tremont Street 
Works, 19 Scotia St., Back Bay 

Oxford 1025— Tel.— Back Bay 3963-R 


Pinkham & Smith 
Company 

Prescription Opticians 

f* Manufacturers, Importers 
i' TL— and Dealers in 

OPTICAL GOODS, CAMERAS 
AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 

SUPPLIES 

Two \ 288-290 Boylston St. } Boston 
Stores / I3i Bromfield St. (Mass. 


Superior Fabrics 

DAVIS 

East India House 

373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 


John J. Stevens & Co. 

300 Boylston Street 
Ladies', Misses' and Children's 


FURNISHINGS 

Custom Work a Specialty 


ARTHUR W. WOODEST 
(Formerly with R. M. Lllley) 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS 
Covered and Repaired 

The Umbrella 
Hospital 

CANES MOUNTED 
in Any Style 

73 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 


Marceau 

160 Tremont St. 
BOSTON 

The name signifies best 

results in portrait 

photography 


Reduced Prices 
for balance of season 
on all our trimmed 

iMillinery 
C. Lothrop Higgins 

406 Boylston Street 



NEW BOSTON 






^i^W^^m 



Old Colony 
! Trust Company | 



^ 



"'>>' 



Protect Your Valuables 



WHETHER you have stocks or 
bonds to protect, you have at 
home or in your office papers and vahi- 
ables which, if lost or damaged, could 
be replaced only at great inconvenience 
and b}^ the expenditure of time and 
money. Their safety is a matter of 
serious consideration. 

Wouldn't it be worth the cost of a safe 
deposit box to know that these things 
were secure beyond any possible loss 
or damage from theft, fire or flood? 

The vault at our Court Street building 
or the one at our Temple Place Branch 
is sure to be readily accessible and we 
shall appreciate an opportunity to 
explain the many features of this 
department. 



TKMPLE 
PLACE 




^^^ 
*w^ 



^==-JI 






^ 



In antwering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



"THE DOJ>LAR PRINCESS" 

The success of "Tlic Dollar Priiu-ess" reached 
Boston lt)iig l)efore Cliarles Frohnian's compiiny's 
arrival at tin; (Colonial. First, occasional whispers 
from Vienna, Berlin, London and Paris reached 
the ear. Then "The Dollar Princess" reached 
Xew York and a verdict of cnipliatic ajjpmval 
follo\ve<l. 

Mr. Fall has conijxised a score, which is at 
times lillinf;, vi^orotis and classic, and occasionally 
even rising; to an o])cratic pitch, t)ut ne\-er has 
he allowed a discordant nor a reminiscent ])assagc 
to enter his charniini; and f>raceful composititm. 
\Yillner and (Jrunhanm and (leorge (irossmith, Jr., 
in contril)ntinf>- the hook have l)een a bit more 
consistent than is usual in nuisical jilays and func- 
tion. Donald Brian, who won laurels as tlic oriffinal 
Prince Danilo in "The Merry Widow," covers 
himself with g'ory in "The Dollar Princess," an<l 
the other principals could not have been selected 
to better advantage. 



SQUARE-DEAL SERVICE 




— 16 CENTRAL STREET ^ 

ADVERTISING 

— Of TKe RigKt Kind — 

My service covers all proi)cr 
publicity needed for the success- 
ful and ])rofitable marketing of 
representative products. 

ABSOLUTELY UNPREJUDICED 




WM. H. CRANE 

in "U. S. Minister Bedloe" 



Q1AWMUT RUBBERS 

tl0^ NOT MADE BY A TRUST 




FOR SALE BY ALL GOOD DEALERS 



NEW BOSTON 



What Is Bad Air 
Costing You? 

It is not only endangering the health of your children 
in school 

— But also cutting down the efficiency of your em- 
ployees in your office, store or factory. 

Dead air makes dead brains. 

Bad air — not drafts or wet feet — is causing most of the colds and 
sickness that keeps your employees at home — on your time. 

Bad air is increasing your pay roll and decreasing your profit. 

Get good, pure air. It is provided with 




Ozone-Maker 



The only perfect solution of the Takes away the bugaboo of ab- 
sences due to colds, headaches, etc. 

It's doing these very things for 



bad air problem. 

Ventilation, though necessary, 

doesn't take out the Jiarmjid part of 
air — the organic impurities. 

The Vohr destroys them. It 
vitalizes dead air. Cuts out the 
3 o'clock "let-down" in offices. 



a number of leading Boston offices, 
stores, etc. 

It will prove the biggest kind 

of an investment for you, Mr. Em- 
ployer. 



The fan insidi 
radiates elec 
tricity in 

imrpl 




Let us send our representative or mail you a booklet 
telling how the Vohr Ozone Maker makes good air. 

J. J. HIGGINS & CO., Distributing Agents 

Telephone Main 6968 53 State Street, Boston 



Same cost to run as one light. Yields 
10,000 cubic feet ozonized air hourly. 



J. J. HIGGINS & CO., 

53 State Street, Boston 



SEND I 



ooklet 
epresentative 



Name 
Address 



I 



In answering aJvertiscnicnts please mention NE\\' HOSTOX 



NEW BOSTON 



Play 

Play Comprising Games for the Kiiidcryarten, Play- 
ground. Schoolroom and College. By Emmett D. Angell. 
Little, Brown & Co., Boston. $1.50 net. 

This book is written by a man who has 
had and is still having' practical experience 
in conductin*;' physical activities in which 
play and games together form an im- 
portant factor. Therefore, most of its 
190 ])ages not occnpied by the many 
and useful illustrations is devoted to 
concise directions how to make u.se of 
over 100 games. 'I'hey are grouped as 
ball, tag and racing games, miscellaneous, 
individual and schoolroom games; like- 
wise, games for the water, and a special 
section on basketball for women. 
Several short chapters treat concisely 
of the value of play and its relation to 
gymnastics, i)ublic ])laygrounds, their 
e(juipment and suj)ervision. The book 
is one of real value to any playground 
instructor or other person concerned 
with i)ublic recreation service from the 
practical side. 



Wide Streets 

THE fact thai Boston has spent about 
forty million dollars since 18*^22 in 
street widenings, straightenings, and 
extensions shows the extent and gravity 
of the prol)lem, and lioston streets are 
not all wide nor straight yet. It cost 
the i)eople of the little town of Brook- 
line, Massachusetts, six hundred and 
fifteen thousand dollars to widen Beacon 
Street from fifty to one hundred and 
eighty feet for a distance of two miles. 
It should be added, however, as showing 
the value to })roperly located, wide 
streets, that the change resulted in an 
increased real estate value in six years, 
for an approximate distance of only five 
hundred feet from the side lines, of 
over four million dollars. The results 
in Kansas City, Missouri, are ecpially 
significant." — John Xolen before the 
Seco7i(l Ndfional Conference on City 
Planning. 



PALMER-SINGER 




Strongest Built Car in the World 

50fo SAVING IN FIRST COST A0% SAVING IN OPERATING EXPENSE 
— UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. 

That's what we offer —that's what we guarantee in all Palmer-Singer Six 
Cylinder, Sixty Horse Power, Four Speed Forward and Reverse, Touring Cais. 

I'ALMER-SIXCiER stands for STANDARD construction even to tlie minutest detail — Iniilt 
in New York City along the very highest lines known to modern automobile recjuirements — 
free from mechanical imperfection of any kind, it possesses many points of superiority to be 
found in no other car. Wc mean this — we mean every word of it — the specifications of the 
I'ALMER-SIN'GER confirm it. 

Our guarantee of uninterrupted service means something — it is sincere — it takes effect the 
moment a car leaves our factory and is continuous— it is backed by men of unquestionable 
integrity, men whose word is their bond. 

Our literature is most intereslinR and instructive: a postal will brinR it tn your address. 



FRANCIS DIKE, Inc. 



47 Fairfield St., Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW KOSTOX 



NEW BOSTON 



''New England Quality 



yy 



The new slogan for New England business, 
officially O K'd by the Pilgrim Publicity 
Association, is "New England Quality." . 

New Englanders have the technical skill, 
the equipment and the capital that, com- 
Ijined with established prestige, give goods 
manufactured in this section an advantage 
over those made elsewhere. The New 
England "conscience" woven into the fabric 
of these products, has made them standard 
in quality from coast to coast. 

At a luncheon that I attended recently 
the speaker, who had just finished a 17,000- 
mile trip, covering substantially every part 
of the country, said, "I went into a Salt Lake 
City store to buy a pair of shoes. I was 
offered goods made in St. Louis. I asked if 
the dealer carried a Brockton shoe, and he 
produced a Regal. 

" 'Aren't Eastern shoes better than the 
St. Louis Goods?' I asked. He said, 'Yes, 
but our people don't know it, so they don't 
call for the Eastern shoes so much.' " I' 

I had a letter from a big coast city only 
this week — the writer said, "This is a beau- 
tiful city — it is growing — they have orchards 
and fisheries and timber lands and mines — I 
liut no manufactures. i 

But the West and South are getting ! 
manufactures — they are straining every nerve I 
to increase them — they have indomitable 
perseverance and limitless enterprise. They 
will succeed. The day their success is realized 
will be the day the New England manufac- 
turer realizes that Opportunity has worn 
the skin off her knuckles at his door and 
j^i me away surruwing. ' 

Today an occasional New England 
manufacturer is putting a lighted candle 
in his window as a signal that Oppor- 
tunity need not stand on his door step 
and shiver unheeded. Where there is 
one such manufacturer there ought to 
be ten — or a score. 

Xow if the "New Engkmd Quality" slogan 
belongs to anyone, it is as much the property 
and the asset of the legitimate advertising 
agent in New England as the maker of mer- 



chandise. The same New England con- 
science that safeguards the integrity of the 
goods can be applied to the problems of 
marketing and publicity. 

I say "legitimate" agent — by that I mean 
the agent who works with and for his client — 
not to see how much money he can spend, \mt 
how much merchandise he can sell. The 
agency business has grown away from the 
'brokerage" class. 

I suggest to any manufacturer or 
merchant in New England who considers 
himself entitled by the merit of his 
goods to the use of the "New England 
Quality" slogan, that he place himself 
in touch with some New England ad- 
vertising agent — some man who is in 
the atmosphere of New England and 
w^hose loyalty and sympathetic grasp 
of conditions j ust as they are today will 
enable him to serve the manufacturer 
efficiently. 

Let him give this agent reasonable scope 
and a f air chance to demonstrate his willing- 
ness and ability to develop and conserve the 
possibilities of a market among 100,000,000 
people of high average intelligence — the 
American consuming public. And let the 
agent be paid as liberallv as his services 
deserve. 

For 25 years I have kept my finger on 
the pulse of New England industry. I have 
surrounded myself with a group of earnest 
and sensible men who work as a "team" 
and incidently, we have made some notable 
advertising successes. 

I can conceive of no more worthy service 
to New England than to offer its industrial 
interests the time and attention of an organ- 
ization built up through 25 years of constant 
endeavor to produce in advertising and its 
allied activities "goods" of "New England 
Quality. ' ' 

Henry B, Humphrey, 

President. 

H. B. HUMPHREY CO., 
44 Federal Street, Boston 
Telephone - - - Main 6431 



In answering advertisements please mention NEJW PO^TQX 



NEW BOSTON 



Safeguarding Juvenile Delinquents 

At the January nieetin^' of the Board 
of Directors of Boston 1!) 15, a com- 
plaint came from South Boston that 
the police authorities were transporting 
juvenile (lelin(|uents from the detention 
station to the court in the same vans 
with adult prisoners. The matter was 
investigated by a special committee 
of the Charities and Correction Con- 
ference of Boston-ll)15 and Police Com- 
missioner O'Meara was inter^•iewed, 
with the result that the following order 
was sent out from the commissioner's 
office, which will put a stop to a further 
practice of the kind. 

"No jierson under seventeou years of ago is to 
be carried in a vehicle which is occupied at the 
same time by prisoners above that age; but when 
an enclosed van is used a prisoner under seventeen 
years of age may be placed in a compartment 
separated from that occupied by the older prisoners; 
and in emergencies or when a prisoner under seven- 
teen years of age has been arrested in the company 
of an 'older person or for complicity in the same 
offence, such prisoner may be carried in the same 
vehicle with persons above seventeen years of age, 
provided 'a police officer accompanies them in the 
vehicle." **, -^ *«| _ t: ,•?;*■ f* 





DOIIOTHV 1)()^^■KLL^ 

in "Madame \" 



N> 



Mellin's Food 



will 

Solve Your Problem 

Your baby is a new ])r()bleiTi 
ill iiifciiit feeding. He is iiuli\ id- 
iiul in his requirements. If he is 
to develop us he should he must 
hu\e ji food that not only con- 
tains all the elements required 
for his ])roper nourishment but 
one that may be readily adapted 
to his needs. 

JMellin's Food is such a food. 
Mellin's Food is to be used with 
fresh cow's milk. Ijv simply varj - 
ing the ])roportions of JNIellin's 
Food, milk and water, according 
to our carefully ])repared direc- 
tions, you can exactly meet the 
individual needs of your baby. 

Why then should your baby 
worry along on a food that is not 
suited to him!' 

He fair with yoin* baby; start 
him on INlellin's l'\)od — today. 

Wc have a very helpful book, "The Care 
and Feeding; of Infants." ^^'e shall be glad 
to scud it to you, together with a Trial Size 
bottle of Mellin's Food, if you will write us. 

MELLIN'S FOOD CO., Hostt.n, Mass. 



<( 



(f 



•A 



In answering adveiliscnients please mention NEW IJOSTGN 



NEW BOSTON 



la. 



To Set You Thinking 



About a year ago, a large and wealthy 
textile firm decided that they would sj)end 
a little money to push an old-time fabric of 
merit that had been a staple in New Eng- 
land for many years. This decision was 
really made against what they felt might 
be their better judgment, and in fact was 
ridiculed by some of the meml^ers of the 
firm. 

Three months ago it seemed wise to con- 
sider and plan the work for this year. Re- 
sults did not in their mind warrant spend- 
ing more than one-third of the first year's 
appropriation, and so one-third was the 
decision. 

Today, the results have been so striking 
that the firm has decided to increase the 
appropriation to that of the first year. 
It is only one year from the time they 
started advertising, and the demand for the 
goods is very rapidly increasing. This 
demand is coming from sources they little 
dreamed of. They are now taking their 
hats off to the advertising campaign that 
has called the attention of the public to 
these goods of merit sufficiently to create 
a demand from every part of the country. 

We have not said a word about the 
wonderful improvement that this work 
has brought about in the fabric itself. This 
firm did not realize advertising would lead 
them to do anything on the production end. 

These facts should say to you that if 
you manufacture an article of absolute 
merit, publicity will increase the sale. 
But don't expect to take a few thousand 
dollars and with it plant the merit of your 
goods in the minds of the people and expect 
that you can get a return crop in a few 
months, for you cannot. It takes time. 

When you consider advertising, you have 
a mighty important undertaking on hand, 
and for that reason you should lay out a 
carefully planned policy, and be prepared 
to stand by it for a period of at least three 
to five years. 

In matters of this kind, consult any ad- 
vertising man who has sufficient gauge to 
look at your problem as a whole. Get his 
viewpoint. It is worth money to you. 

A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



Boston 
Garter 



is higher grade— not only 
fits the leg, but will wear 
well in every part — the 
clasp ^ays se- 




c u r e ly in 
ace until 
released. 

See that 
HOSTON 
<; ARTKIl 

is st;iiii|peil 
on the chisj). 



Sample Pair, Cotton, 26c., Silk, BOc. 

Milled OH reccil>t of Price, 

GEORGE Frost Co., makers 

Boston, U.S.A. 



When ordering Milk, Cream, Butter 

or Buttermilk, be sure to ask 

for and insist on getting 

HOOD'S 

ACKNOWLEDGED THE BEST 




Cream and All Dairy Products 

General Offices 

and Chemical and Bacteriological Laboratory 

494 Rutherford Avenue. Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company In New 
England. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



Among the Fashionable Shops 


CAN'T LEAK 

Ward's Leaknot 

^ ^ FOUNTAIN PEN will 
^M ^^ not soil your fini^crs or 
^■^^Vl clothes. It cannot leak 

■ ^^t ■ no matter how carried. 
1 ■ ■ ■ Submerged Pen Point 
I ■■ I makes it ready for in- 
1 V 1 stant use. 

■ HI Ask vour dealer or senil 

■ Mi c.-rU at 

VVard's 

57-63 Franklin Street, Boston 


E. J. STATES 
Ant Embroideries 

Stamping 
and Designing 

328 Boylston Street 

Opposite Arlington St. 

BOSTON 


IRVING 

AND 

CASSON 

Custom Furniture, Interior 
Finish, Wood Mantels 

Decorations and Upholstery 
Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 


PIANOS 

Boston's Great Art Product 
492 Boylston Street 


O.Cu5urr)apo 

Florentine Arts 


■^ ■ ■ 4^ ^^ ItKPAIKI':!) 

n 1 1 n O O'^ANSKII 

mf 1 I ■_ % STKAKillTKM':!) 

■ ■ 1 1 11 J\ liKMODKI.KI) 

11 V %A V lllSINI'KCrKII. Ktr. 


M m. 

Annual Mark Down Sale 

Terra Cotta and 
Majolica Wares 

The Only Store oflts Kind In New England 

292 Boylston Street 

Boston, Mass 


Oriental Process Rug Renovating Co. 

K. M. GIRAGOSIAN. Mgr. 

Office, 128a Tremont Street 
Works, 19 Scotia St., Back Bay 

Oxford 1025— Tel.— Back Bay 3963-R 


Pinkham & Smith 
Company 

Prescription Opticians 

Manufacturers, Importers 
and Dealers in 

OPTICAL GOODS, CAMERAS 

AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 

SUPPLIES 

Two ( 288-290 Boylston St. ) Boston 
Stores M3-^ Bromfield St. \ Mass. 


Superior Fabrics 

DAVIS 

East India House 

373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 


John J. Stevens & Co. 

300 Boylston Street 
Ladies', Misses' and Children's 

FURNISHINGS 
Custom Work a Specialty 


ARTHUR W. WOODEST 
(Formerly with R. M. LlUey) 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS 
Covered and Repaired 

The Umbrella 
Hospital 

CANES MOUNTED 
in Any Style 

73 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 


Marceau 

160 Tremont St. 

BOSTON 

The name signifies best 

results in portrait 

photography 


Reduced Prices 
for balance of season 
on all our trimmed 

Millinery 
C. Lothrop Higgins 

406 Boylston Street 



Among the Fashionable Shops 



A. L. La Vers Co. 

Telephone, Back Bay 1344 

190-192 Boylston St. 

32-34 Park Square 

Boston, Mass. 

Specialty Shop 

FURS, MILLINERY 

GOWNS, DRESSES 

WAISTS and COATS 



Established 1858 



Edw. F. Kakas & Sons 



FURS 



364 BOYLSTON STREET 



EXCLUSIVE MODELS 

Corsets, Waists and Neckwear 

CHANDLER'S 

CORSET 

STORE 

MRS. GEORGE CHANDLER 

12-14 Winter St., & 422 Boylston St. 



WALSH 

276 BOYLSTON STREET 



Importers and 
Makers of 



^mart Hats 

^and Frocks 

Attractive Novelties in 

Hair Bands and Ornaments 







WOOD-KRUSTA 

A perfect wood-panel eti'ect. 
Suitable for Dining Room, 
Hall, Library, Wainscoting 
and very effective in Bun- 
galows. 

WALL PAPER 

Latest foreign and domestic 
designs. 

H. C. MONROE 

DECORATOR 

29 Temple Place, Boston 



Maynard & Co. 

Incorporated 
DEALERS IN 

GOLD, SILVER AND 
PRECIOUS GEMS 

Gifts for All Occasions 
$5.00 to $500.00 

41G BOYLSTON ST. 








May we demonstrate to you 
the 

New Hallet & Davis 
Player- Piano ? 

Plays the whole key-board 

Hallet & Davis Piano Co. 

146 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. 




HENRY F. MILLER & SONS 

PIANO COMPANY 
395 BOYLSTON ST.. BOSTON 

9a 



100 BOYLSTON ST. TeL Ox. 651 

Entertainments furnished for all 
occasions. Any number of artists sup- 
plied. Special programs arranged for 
Societies and children. Refined vaude- 
ville a specialty. 

TENTS, SEATS AND LIGHTS 

for all kinds of outdoor entertainments 
TO RENT 



Burleigh & Martin 

(Incorporated) 

CA TERERS 

Telephone, Back Bay 3940 

Berkeley Street and 

St. James Avenue 

Back Bay, Boston, Mass. 



Lusbus 
Cbocola^tes 

"The Sign of the Kind • 

The Aldrich-Clisbee Co. 

21 Portland St.. 
BOSTON 



10a 



NEW BOSTON 



BOSTON THEATRES 



At the Colonial Theiilri', coinnu'iicing Monday 
evening, February 27, Jose|)li M. (iaites will present 
his new musical play "The (iirl of My Dreams" 
with John llyanis and Leila Mclntyre in the lead- 
ing roles. 

This new musical play which had its initial 
presentation in Chicago, enjoying a run of ten 
weeks, is said to be one of the most delightful and 
refined musical productions seen in years and a 
worthy successor to Gaites' famous "Three Twins." 

The book is by Wilbur K. Xesbit of the Chicaijn 
Evening Post. Otto Ihiuerbach is responsible for 
the lyrics and the music is by Karl Hoschna, com- 
poser of "Bright Eyes," "Three Twins," "Kaly- 
Did" and "Mme. Sherry." 

The story of the piece tells of a bachelor's down- 
fall before the charms of a demure little Quaker 
Girl. These roles will be those of the principals, 
John Hyams and Leila Mclntyre. The bachelor 
is much of a clubman and has the cynical attitude 
of his class toward the feminine sex. A habit of 
breaking village speed ordinances leads him into 
a bad motor accident. He is carried, much injured, 
into a Quaker household where he is nursed back 
to health by the Girl. By the time he is able to 
look about from an arm-chair, his ideals of bachelor- 
hood are shattered. The Quakeress and her father 
later go to the city to see the bachelor and the 
young woman is much shocked by her prospective 
husband's friends. She doesn't know whether she 
loves him or not, but the sky is clear in time for 
a happy ending just before the drop of the final 
curtain. 

The piece is chuck full of catchy musical numbers. 
The principal ones being "Dr. Tinkle Tinker," 
"Quaker Talk," "I'm Ready to Quit and be Good," 
"Dear Little Games of Guessing" and "The Girl 
of My Dreams." 

THE FASCINATING WIDOW 

When Julian Eltinge, the star of "The Fascinat- 
ing Widow," made his first appearance as an im- 
personator of women with the Boston Cadets, he 
was so successful in deceiving his audiences that 
he once made a bet with his college mates that 
hf could get a job as a chorus girl. They took him 
up, confident that, in street clothes, he could not 
make good the impersonation. 

{Continued on page 1 2a) 



Dorchester Awning Company 

(INC.) 
Manufacturers of all kinds of Canvas Goods 

Awnings, Tents, Etc. 

WEDDING CANOPIES AND LARGE TENTS TO LET 
PIAZZAS FITTED UP FOR SLEEPING OUT 

1548-1558 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Mass. 



Willard Welsh 



Real Estate 



5 EXCHANGE STREET 



BOSTON. MASS. 



TELEPHONE MAIN 1196 



HOWARD 

Dustless 
Duster 

(25 Cents Prepaid) 
Makes possible 
a dustless home. / 
Write for our 
Dust Book "A" 
and small free 
sample. 

It will show you how 
to make dusting a 
pleasure, how to dry 
clean a silk skirt in 
five minutes, how to 
clean windows in a "'^° ^" '° ^°''" 

twinkling, to polish pianos and highly finished 
furniture, to make cut glass sparkle like dia- 
monds, to make an old derby look like new. 

Money hack if "ot tatisfaclorij 

HOWARD DUSTLESS DUSTER CO. 

164-12 Federal Street, Boston, Mass. 





In answering adv.ertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



lla 




— '-ir tm !■ iti" I I iT^^^^ ' 



Old Colony 
Trust Company 




-•■^^^ 



t: 



1*i.? 



Protect Your Valuables 



WHETHER you have stocks or 
bonds to protect, you have at 
home or in your office papers and vahi- 
ables which, if lost or damaged, could 
be replaced only at great inconvenience 
and by the expenditure of time and 
money. Their safety is a matter of 
serious consideration. 

Wouldn't it be worth the'cost of a safe 
deposit box to know that these things 
were secure beyond any possible loss 
or damage from theft, fire or flood? 

The vault at our Court Street building 
or the one at our Temple Place Branch 
is sure to be readily accessible and we 
shall appreciate an opportunity to 
explain the many features of this 
department. 



■m 




In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



T2a 



NEW liOSTON 




"We are advertised by our lovinfif friends" 

Our hdhy is now fifteen months 

She has had eoxv\s lullk modified 
ill Mellin's Food since she ivas two 
'eh's old. She is now a strong; 
aiihij child. " ' 

'liis is an extract from one of the many 
ers we receive every day. It simply 
\es aaain that 




Mellin's Food is the Ideal Milk Modifier 



a 



A\'hen you prepare the food for your 
baby be sure that the basis of it is pure, 
fresh milk. 

Fresh milk alone is too stront? for baby's 
little stomach, but fresh milk modified 
with Mellin's Food is readily digested by 
the 1/oimg'e.st infiinf, and it has all the life- 
giving vitality that baby needs. 

The IVIellin's Food method of modify- 
ing milk is the most practical, and at the 



same time the most scientific, method that 
has ever been devised. 

Thousands and thousands of babies have 
thrived on Mellin's Food. So will your 
baby. Get a bottle for him today. 

We have a very helpful book, " The Care and 
Feeding of Infants." We shall be glad to send 
you a copy, together with a Trial Size bottle of 
Mellin's Food, if you will write us. 

MELLIN'S FOOD COMPANY, Boston, Mass. 



i3 



It turned out that Mr. Manager was delighted. 
He thought he had a new find. The applieant 
sang for liim, and even indulged in a few coy looks. 
When the (juestion of salary came up for discussion, 
Eltinge insisted upon $4.5 a week. He couldn't 
possibly live on $18.50. No girl could. There 
was considerable haggling, but finally the manager 
agreed. Eltinge returned to his club with a signed 
contract. He was engaged as a show girl. 

THE COMMUTERS 

Tiie current attraction at the Park Theatre is 
.lames Forbes' latest comedy, "The Commuters," 
a tale of suburban life, as it is lived in the vicinity 
of any large American city, Boston included. 

The story of "The Commuters" centers about 
Larry and Hetty Brice, a young couple who reside 
in a sul)url) of New York. Tiie husband's boon 
companion is Sammy Fletcher, a bachelor, with 
a strong distaste for life in the suburbs. Possess- 
ing the intuitive qualities common to a great many 
wives, Mrs. Brice assumes that her husband's 
occasional annoying but innocent divergencies 
from the slraigiit and narrow path are due to the 
influence of Sanuny. Mr. Brice, wishing to over- 
come tliese wifely prejudices, invites Sanuny to 
spend a day at his suljurban home. The bachelor's 
unexpected advent in the Brice household causes 
a temporary breach between the yoimg people. 
In his atteni])! to rejjair the <lamage, Sammy only 
succeeds in l)rinf;ing down njjon himself the wrath 
of both husband and wife. 

As a keen observer of men and manners, James 
Forbes, the author of "The ("omnnilers,"' has 
no equal in the large army of Americim playwrights. 

In answering advertisements 




"BOND OF BOSTON .^^^ — 

16 CENTRAL STREET 



ADVERTISING 

Of TKe R.igKt Kind 



My service covers all proper 
publicity needed for the 
successful and profitable 
marketing of representative 
products. 



please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW liOSTON 



13a 



1915 Men 

Are you interested 
in the working- 
women? 

The women who 
sew. 



The 

Right 

Way 




Read about the new 

Hygienic Central Needle 
Sewing Machine 

Tell your women-folks to see it. It will 
save the drudgery of sewing to every 
housewife or dressmaker, because — it saves 
the stoop. It saves the twist to the spine. 
It seats the user in a hygienic position. See 
this picture. Write for booklet. 

This is simply a matter of righting a 
wrong, a victory of the intelligence of today 
over the carelessness of the past. 

SHEPARD NORWELL CO. 

BOSTON, MASS. 




EDMUXD BREESE in "The Spendthrift- 



Important to You orYour FriendsWho Are 




DEAF 

or Hard of 
Hearing 

You can hear and enjoy 
life like others with the 
new adjustable 



Globe Ear -Phone 

The moiit efficient and refined 
aid to hearing ever produced 

THE Globe Ear-Phone received the highest 
award at the Brussels Exposition and also 
at the Seattle Exposition in 190S) as the best aid 
for defective hearing. It is the only hearing 
instrnnient that can be adjusted to any degree 
of deafness. 

You are Invited to call at our office and 
have a practical demonstration, or write 
at once for home trial particulars; also 
for boolilet desciibing Church Ear-Phone 

(^lofte €ar=^f)one Co. 

740 Tremont Temple Boston 



In answering advcnisLincnts please mention .NEW lUJSTOX 



Ua 



NEW BOSTON 



An Open Letter to the 

Members of the Boston 
Chamber of Commerce and 
the Members of the Pilgrim 
Publicity Association: 



As a member of both of the above named 
organizations, I wish to call the attention 
of my fellow-members to some conditions 
bearing seriously upon one of the most im- 
portant industries in Boston. 

The Chamber of Commerce and the Pil- 
grim Publicity Association have an avowed 
purpose, namely, to promote the interests 
of this city and this section. Here is a 
simple, direct and effective way to do this. 
vSome of you may be following it. This wa>^ 
is to give your preference in doing business, 
all things being equal, to articles of Boston 
or New England production. 

There is a moral duty resting upon }-our 
shoulders and mine by reason of our mem- 
bership in either the Chamber or the Pub- 
licity Association. Arc you and I living up 
to it or is our protestation of loyalty noth- 
ing but empty words? 

A man said to me the other day, "I 
wonder if this boasted New England loyalty 
is any more than skin-deep after all." Now, 
let us get right down to cases. I can hear 
you say, "Well, what are you driving at?" 

Let me give you a concrete example. 

Recently some of you had an opjjortunity 
at the rooms of the Chamber to see a dis- 
play of cigars, every one of which was made 
in IBoston. You must admit that it was a 

Boston, February IS, HM 1. 



creditable showing. But let me ask >-ou, 
frankly, if it accomplished its purpose. 

Here is, at least, part of the answer. Go 
into any first-class hotel in Boston; go into 
any of the better known clubs and look in 
the cigar case, or, still better, ask for the 
tray. Will you see any Boston-made goods? 

Go one step further and ask for one of the 
better known brands of Boston-made goods. 
Will you get it? Possibly. But if so, is it not 
dug up from underneath the case or out of 
some dark corner? 

Are you aware that the snubbed nose, 
thick-butted cigar is not the only kind made 
in Boston, but that certain Boston makers 
are selling, outside of Boston, cigars of as 
graceful shapes and attractive shades as are 
made in any factory inside or outside of 
Havana? 

Furthermore, isn't assurance that the 
cigars you ])ut in your mouth arc made 
properly imder hygienic conditions worth 
.something to >-ou? The Massachusetts 
laws regulating the matter of ventilation 
and sanitation in cigar factories are specific 
and adequate, and State inspection is rigid. 

My business is to assist manufacturers in 
the distribution and sale of their jiroducts. 
In this particular case, I represent H. 
Traiser & Co., Inc., the largest individual 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



15a 



manufacturer of cigars in New England, 
and one of the largest in the country. This 
firm is putting out splendid goods — a line of 
cigars under the name Traico. This manu- 
facturer's problem, and mine, is to intro- 
duce Traico to the men of Boston who 
smoke the better grades of cigars; and we 
are up against just this proposition: 

The hotels, the clubs, and some of the 
first-class cigarists, seem to be strongly op- 
posed to handling Boston-made goods, and 
it is almost impossible to make any head- 
way with them, even on this new proposi- 
tion. 

Among the reasons given for this attitude 
is that most of the generally known "popu- 
lar" ten-cent goods, are made only in the 
straight "Londres" shape and are sold at 
cut prices. 

If such conditions are acknowledged to 
demoralize the trade in a particular line, 
should it be allowed to stand in the way of 
marketing a new home product that actu- 
ally has all the merits for which a smoker 
can ask? It is sold for, and is actually 
worth, ten and fifteen cents. It is made 
in other shapes than the usual "Londres," 
which you personally may not care for. 

You may say when you read this : "This 
man is grinding an ax." Yes, I am grinding 
an ax, but here is a case in which when I 
grind my ax, that is, when I benefit Traico 
cigars, I am benefitting any other cigars 
made in Boston that are of sufficiently high 
grade to be in the same category with 
Traico. 

You, the individual reader of this letter, 
are probably a member of one or more 
clubs. You are, if you smoke, buying what 
you consider a good grade of cigars. Does 
it ever enter your head to ask for the Boston 
goods at your club or hotel? If you say 
"No, because Boston-made cigars are not 
what I want," let me tell you that you are 
very likely to chapge your mind if you will 
give Traico a trial. But admitting that you 
may be willing to smoke Traico, how are we 
going to overcome the difficulty that is in 
your way in getting it ? 

You cannot expect the cigar retailer or 
the man behind hotel or club stand to wax 
enthusiastic over a brand unless it sells well, 
but, on the other hand, if Traico and other 



Boston goods are discriminated against by 

the buyers in clubs and hotels, they are cut 
off from the very channels through which 
they should attain favor. 

If you ask for Traico once or twice at such 
places, failing to get them, you will tire of 
asking. The situation then sifts itself right 
down to this: You must bring some pres- 
sure to bear that is stronger than an occa- 
sional demand for a cigar. You might do it 
this way : Go to the chairman of your house 
committee at the club and say to him: 
"This club is a Boston institution., A repre- 
sentative line of Boston cigars in three or 
four different shapes ought to be in the 
cigar tray so that they will get before the 
members of the club along with other 
brands." 

I could name to you offhand a number of 
cigars on which a penny was never spent for 
advertising that have acquired considerable 
vogue among smokers in just this way, and 
in many cases these cigars were goods in- 
ferior to Traico in every way of which you 
can think. 

Not only that, but I could point out, in 
more than one cigar case, or tray, in Boston 
clubs, goods not made in New England, but 
offered as high grade, that in some other 
parts of the country are not even considered 
legitimate goods. 

Why are such goods displayed in show 
cases and sold to the detriment of Boston 
goods of actual merit that are made under 
guaranteed conditions of factory sanitation 
and cleanliness ? 

Is it not in order for me at this particular 
time to remind you that your membership 
in the Boston Chamber of Commerce or the 
Pilgrim Publicity Association, places you in 
a position to do good Avork on behalf of a 
New England manufactured product? If 
you are a smoker, begin with Traico cigars, 
and remember this one thing, if this appeal 
of mine looks to you like a special pleading, 
which, in a sense, it is, any considerable re- 
sponse to it will result to the lasting benefit 
not alone of Traico, but of other high grade 
cigars made in Boston. 

H. B. HUMPHREY 

Preside}! t, II. B. Humphrey Company, 

Boston. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



16a 



NEW BOSTON 



MARGARET ANGLIN 

On Monday evening, March 6, the appearance 
of tlie distinguished actress, Margaret AngHn, is 
scheduled at the Treinont Theatre in a new i)lay 
written by A. K. W. INIason and George Fleming, 
entitled "Green Stockings," under the dircctidii 
of Liebler & Co. 

The i)lay is in three acts and the scenes are laid 
in rural England at Lumley Park. The story is 
evolved out of an English custom, well known and 
closely followed also in Ireland, by which green 
stockings arc invarialily worn by the eldest unmar- 
ried and not betrothed daughter of the family at 
her j'ounger sister's marriage ceremony. Celis 
Faraday, the role to be assumed by Miss .\nglin, 
having worn green stockings at two weddings and 
being threatened with the necessity of donning a 
third pair, resorts to a plan by which she hopes 
to exempt herself from the distinguishing mark of 
spinsterhood. Obviously, "Green Stockings" is 
a comedy, with the brilliant actress as the central 
6gure of an admiralilc plot with plenty of fun. 
It is the first comedy projected with Margaret 
Anglin as the star, and her advent conveys there- 
fore the flavor of a distinct novelty. 

Included in her support may be mentioned the 
following well-known players: H. Reeves-Smith, 
George Woodward, Ivan Simpson, Walter Howe, 
Charles Garry, Maude Granger, Ruth Holt Bouci- 
cault, Ruth Rose and others. 




THAIS MAGRANE 
In "The Spendthrift" 



CunN 

SECTIONAL 
BOOKCASES 




For The Home 

Preserves the books, free from 
dust and dirt. Can be added to, 
one section at a time as the library 
increases. Made in a variety of 
woods and finishes. 

The Ladies 
Desk Section 

Provides places for writting mater- 
ials, pigeon holes for correspon- 
dence, receipts, etc. — file boxes 
for papers, etc. 

Can be added to any stack the 
same as a bookcase section. Don't 
fail to see this charming arrange- 
ment. 

ALLEN PAISLEY CO. 

133-137 Portland Street 
Near North Station BOSTON, MASS. 



25^^^ discount from catalogue if you 
will send this ad or bring it with you. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



7a 



To Set You Thinking 



From day to day as I come into touch 
with different business problems with the 
end in view of helping each man to better 
see his own individual problem as a whole, 
I am firmly convinced that a fresh eye and 
a new viewpoint can be of decided value 
toward efficiency and increased profits. 

P'or instance, you are going to put a 
product on the market in package form, 
and immediately get up your package 
after your own ideas, something that you 
think is pretty and attractive. But it 
never enters your head that the most im- 
portant thing that that package should 
carry is a selling value. Do you know^ 
what that means? Let me tell you. Can 
you go back in your mind and see the pic- 
ture of a whale with a white spot on it? 
Do you know what it said on that spot? 
Of course you do, "Soapine Did it." Now 
it is quite probable that this picture was 
imprinted or photographed on your mind 
at least twenty or twenty -five years ago. 
It had a selling value, and it was worth 
money. 

Are you putting out a package that is 
ear-marked, that can be described in as 
few words, that can imprint itself on the 
mind as quickly as this? If you are, it has 
got selling value; but if you have a lot of 
fuss and feathers with nothing distinctive, 
nothing convincing, you haven't a package 
that has selling value, and consequently 
it will take very much more money to pro- 
mote it than it would one that did have the 
character and quality of the above illustra- 
tion. 

The man who can take hold of your sell- 
ing problem with you, who can see these 
really simple truths, is worth all the money 
that he will ask, if he does no more than 
get you started right. He can see whether 
or not "April Fool" is pinned on your back, 
and he is dead sure of it. Perhaps you have 
been so engrossed in the details on the 
inside that it has not occurred to you that 
there is any outside viewpoint to your 
problem whatever, so you go on fooling 
yourself without thinking or realizing that a 
bright advertising man has a viewpoint and 
the brains that can bring you money. 

New England Manufacturer, you believe 
in life insurance and fire insurance, now 
why don't you believe in business insurance? 
Begin now and insure a demand for your 
quality product from the generation that 
is yet unborn. Insure the education_of 



Boston 
Garter 




is higher grade— not only 
fits the leg, but will wear 
well in every part — the 
clasp ^ays se- 
curely in 
place until 
released. 

Sfp that 

BOSTON 

OAKTEIl 

is staiiiiieil 
on the clasp. 



Sample Pair, Cotton, 25c., Silk, BOc. 

M'ulcii on rt-ceipt of Price. 

George frost Co., makers 

Bostou. U.S.A. 



Dorchester Awning Company 

(INC.) 
Manufacturers of all kinds of Canvas Goods 



Awnings, Tents, Etc. 

WEDDING CANOPIES AND LARGE TENTS TO LET 
PIAZZAS FITTED UP FOR SLEEPING OUT 

1548-1558 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, Mass. 



your grandchildren, perhaps yet unborn. 
Get in touch with a live advertising man 
who can look at your j)roblem as he would 
look at an apj)le and see the worm holes. 
Don't think tlie worm won't get into the 
heart of the aj^ple because it will. 

If this publicity bee is buzzing in your 
bonnet, talk with any good, bright advertis- 
ing man. Be glad to put your time against 
his. It is worth as much as yours, and 
perhaps you will both profit by it. 

A. W. Ellis Agency, 

10 High Street, 

Boston, Mass. 



Among the Fashionable Shops 


CAN'T LEAK 

Ward's Leaknot 

^ ^ FOUNTAIN PEN will 
^m ^^ not soil your fingers or 
^■^^■1 clothes. It cannot leak 

■ ^^1 ■ "o matter how carried. 

■ ■■ ■ Submerged Pen Point 

■ ■■ 1 makes it ready for in- 

■ M 1 Ask your dealer or send 

W A R D ' S 

57-63 Franklin Street, Boston 


E. J. STATES 
Ant Embroideries 

Stamping 
and Designing 

328 Boylston Street 

Opposite Arlington St. 

BOSTON 


IRVING 

AND 

CASSON 

Custom Furniture, Interior 
Finish, Wood Mantels 

Decorations and Upholstery 
Church Furniture 

1 50 Boylston Street, Boston 


PIANOS 

Boston's Great Art Product 
492 Boylston Street 


O.Cu5Unr)ar?o 

Florentine Arts 

m m 

Annual Mark Down Sale 

Terra Cotta and 
Majolica Wares 

The Only Store of Its Kind In New England 

292 Boylston Street 

Boston, Mass. 


n 1 1 1" <I.KANSK1> 

H 1 1 Is % STKAKIIITKNKII 

Is li 11 ■■ KKMOIIKLKI) 

!■ \0 \A %^ UISINFK(TKI>. Ktr. 


Oriental Process Rug Renovating Co. 

K. M. GIRAGOSIAN. Mgr. 

Office, 128a Tremont Street 
Works, 19 Scotia St., Back Bay 

Oxford 1025 — Tel.— Back Bay 3963-R 


Wall Papers 

Artistic ami serviceable 
paper at reasonable 
prices. 10 per cent, off 
on presenting this adver- 
tisement at time of pur- 
cliasc. 

THOMAS SWAN 

24 Cornhill 


Superior Fabrics 

DAVIS 

East India House 

373 BOYLSTON STREET 
BOSTON 


Pinkham & Smith 
Company 

Prescription Opticians 

Manufacturers, Importers 
and Dealers in 

OPTICAL GOODS, CAMERAS 

AND PHOTOGRAPHIC 

SUPPLIES 

Two \ 288-290 Boylston St. | Boston 
Stores i 1 3 i Bromfield St. ) Mass. 


ARTHUR W. WOODEST 
(Formerly wltb R. M. LIUey) 

UMBRELLAS AND PARASOLS 
Covered and Repaired 

The Umbrella 
Hospital 

CANES MOUNTED 
in Any Style 

LOOK FOR THE BLUE SIGN 

73 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. 


Marceau 

160 Tremont St. 

BOSTON 

The name signifies best 

results in portrait 

photography 


C. LOTHROP HIGGINS 

406 BOYLSTON STREET 


All the latest 
models in 

Street and Dress 

Hats 

now ready for 
inspection 



NEW BOSTON 



lla 



THE WORLD IN BOSTON 

FRANK W. HAROLD 

THERE are food shows and horse 
shows, tuberculosis, automobile 
and airship exhibitions, but the 
latest show of all is the missionary expo- 
sition. Boston has taken the lead in 
organizing one. It will be the first great 
missionary exposition to be held in 
America, and it is called "The World 
in Boston." The opening date is April 
22, 1911, and the place is the Mechanics 
Building, famous for its exhibitions and 
great demonstrations of all kinds. "The 
World in Boston" will occupy the entire 
building. 

Boston men subscribed to a guarantee 
fund of $60,000 before a single step was 
taken toward the Exposition, and all 
of this and considerably more will be 
expended before the doors are opened 
on April 22. The president of "The 
World in Boston," which is an incor- 
porated company, is Samuel B. Capen, 
LL.D., who, for many years, has been 
president of the American Board of 
Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
The man who organized "The Orient 
in London," one of the greatest of the 
English expositions, Rev. A. M. Gardner, 
is the general secretary of "The World 
in Boston." 

The fact that the Exposition will 
make its appeal to the eye will attract 
many who otherwise would be indifferent. 
Thousands, both in the churches and 
out, who through ignorance are now 
indifferent to missions, will respond to 
the announcement of the exposition 
because it is something to see. 

The scope of the Exposition is indi- 
cated by its name, "The World in 
Boston." The whole world is included. 
There will be scenes and exliibits of 
the most representative character, from 
every land where the work of missions 
is carried on. ' 

Before the visitor will be a Japanese 
street, with stores and shops upon either 
side, leading into a large garden domi- 
nated by a Buddhist Temple. From this, 
way may be made into almost any 
country of the world. On one side of 
the entrance various jNIohammedan lands 
will be represented — I'alestine, Turkey, 
Persia, xVrabia, and others; on the other 
(to emphasize the essential oneness of 
home and foreign missions) will be a 

{Conliiiued on page 12a) 



GET THE 
1915 IDEA 

"CENTRAL NEEDLEISM" 



Sitting position lot oidlnary 
sidv iiteaie machinej 
THE WRONG WAY 




THE RIGHT WAY 



^ "Central Needleism" simply means placing 
the sewing machine needle directly in front of 
the operator, thus doing away with back-aches, 
unstrung nerves, and that "tired feeling" caused 
by the ordinary side needle sewing machine. 
The "central needle" machine makes sewing a 
pleasure, a healthy exercise, the family sewing 
an enjoyment. 

^ "Central Needleism" is found only on the 
New Standard Central Needle Hy- 
gienic Sewing Machine. It is one of 

the many advantages which the Standard Sew- 
ing Machine has over all other makes. 

^ "Central Needleism" is highly recommended 
by your doctor, for the idea originated with 

physicians. By li)1.5 the New Standard 
Central Needle Hygienic Sewing 

Machine will be the only sewing niachine 
that sensible, intelligent people will buy. 
Hundreds use it now. How about you ? 

^ Write for booklet "NB" now or better call to 
see this wonderful invention today, while you 
think of it. 

SHEPARD NORWELL CO. 

BOSTON 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



12a 



NEW BOSTON 



section representing work among North 
American Indians. This latter leads 
into the Negro section, and this again 
into an African viUage with its honses, 
shops, mosqne, church and Yoruba Com- 
pound. 

By way of the Japanese street we shall 
come to Chinatown, with its tall, central 
pagoda, its joss house, and other struc- 
tures. Nearby will be sections devoted 
to medical, educational, and industrial 
missions, and to work among lepers in 
various lands. Further along, may be 
seen an India Village, including among 
other exhibits the Towers of Silence, a 
Kashmir house, a Bengali Zenana, a 
Hindu Temple, and a wayside shrine. 

Beyond these will be various depart- 
ments representing home missionary 
work among the immigrants at Ellis 
Island, on the frontier, and in Hawaii, 
Cuba and Porto Rico. On the same 
floor a Hall of Religions will bring before 
the eyes of visitors the world's multi- 
tudinous forms of worship, pagan rites, 
and heathen superstitions, and a large 
number of courts, or booths, will be 
filled with interesting objects from all 
the non-Christian countries of the world. 

The gallery or second floor of the 
main exhibition hall will be devoted to 
a comprehensive illustration of educa- 
tional work in non-Christian lands, con- 
trasting the native schools with the 
mission schools, and showing models 
of typical buildings. In a smaller hall 
the life of children in heathen lands 
will be illustrated in dialogues, sketches, 
and brief scenes in which children will 
play the parts. In another small hall 
there will be tableaux and costume 
lectures. The tableaux will be given 
at frequent intervals. At one hour 
visitors may see a representation of a 
Chinese wedding, and at another time, 
a funeral in India. A moving picture 
exhibition is to be given in a third small 
hall. Thousands of feet of film are 
being collected from all parts of the 
world for this particular department 
of "The World in Boston." There will 
be shown, at frequent intervals, the 
native life in great cities of the non- 
Christian lands. There will also be 
pictures of missionaries actually at work. 

All these scenes in the Exjxjsition and 
many of the courts or booths will be 
in charge of young men and young 
women from the churches of Boston and 
vicinity. They will wear the native 
{Continued on page 14a) 



HOWARD 

Dustless 
Duster 

(25 Cents Prepaid) 
Makes possible 
a dustless home. 
Write for our 
Dust Book "A" 
and small free 
sample. 

It will show you how 
to make dusting a 
pleasure, how to dry 
clean a silk skirt in 
five minutes, how to " ^^ ' '^ 

clean windows in a "^° O'' '" ■^°''" 

twinkling, to polish pianos and highly finished 
furniture, to make cut glass sparkle like dia- 
monds, to make an old derby look like new. 

Money back if ftot salisfaclory 

HOWARD DUSTLESS DUSTER CO. 

164-12 Federal Street, Boston, Mass. 




L 




When ordering Milk, Cream, Butter 

or Buttermilk, be sure to ask 

for and insist on getting 

HOOD'S 

ACKNOWLEDGED THE BEST 




Cream and All Dairy Products 

General Offices 

and Chemical and Bacteriological Laboratory 

494 Rutherford Avenue, Boston, Mass. 

The Largest Independent Dairy Company In New 
England. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



13a 



From Maine to California, from Washington 
to Florida, the country is covered with 




Mellin's Food Babies 

There are Mellin's Food Babies in every city, town 
and hamlet, and wherever they are, they are the sturdiest, 
healthiest babies in the community. In your own neighbor- 
hood you will find that the babies whom you most admire 
for their sturdy health and rosy cheeks were brought up on 
Mellin's Food. 

These thousands of sturdy, rosy-cheeked Mellin's Food 
babies and children are the best possible proof that Mellin's 
Food is an adequate and absolutely dependable substitute for 
mother's milk. » 

If you would have your baby sturdy and healthy and happy 
start him on Mellin's Food. He will thrive on it. Get a bottle 
at your Druggist's today. 

We have a valuable book, " The Care and Feeding of Infants," which tells just the 
thing;s you ought to know about feeding and caring for your baby, We shall be very 
glad to send you a copy of this book, together with a Trial Size Bottle of Mellin's Food, 
if you will write us. 



MELLIN'S FOOD COMPANY, 



BOSTON, MASS. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



14a 



NEW BOSTON 



dress of the scenes or country to which 
they are attached, and will give to the 
whole Exposition an intimate touch of 
human life and activity. These volun- 
teer attendants are called stewards, 
and more than 10, 000 have been enrolled. 
All have studied the history of the coun- 
try to wliicii they have been assigned. 
They have familiarized themselves with 
the work of missions in the same lands, 
the native customs and the changes and 
results which Christian influence has 
brought about. 

In the Pageant of Darkness and Light 
there will be nearly ,5, 000 choristers and 
participants. Most of these will wear 
a costume, either of some foreign land 
or a special chorister's dress. The cos- 
tumes used at the presentation of the 
Pageant at "The Orient in London" 
Missionary Exposition, held in the Eng- 
lish capital in 1908, have been sent to 
the United States and are to be used 
at the Boston presentation. 

Unusual preparations are being made 
for the pageant, which will be a spec- 
tacular representation of great historical 
events in the history of missions. There 
are five episodes or scenes, in each of 
which about two hundred persons will 



UNIVERSin TRAVEL 



We offer tours to the Orient sailing in January 
and February under scholarly leadership and 
with a special Nile steamer and a yacht of our 
own in the Mediterranean. 

We offer tours to Europe sailing in April, 
May and June, visiting Greece, Italy, Central 
and Northern Europe. 

As a preparation for travel in Europe or for 
private study, we offer the 

UNIVERSITY PRINTS 

— 2,000 subjects at one penny each — reproduc- 
tions of masterpieces of European galleries. 

Send for announcements 



BUREAU OF UNIVERSITY TRAVEL 



TRINITY PLACE, BOSTON, MASS. 



TELEPHONE 
BACK BAY 2620 



CunM 

SECTIONAL 
BOOKCASES 




For The Home 

Preserves the books, free from 
dust and dirt. Can be added to, 
one section at a time as the library 
increases. Made in a variety of 
woods and finishes. 

The Ladies 
Desk Section 

Provides places for writting mater- 
ials, pigeon holes for correspon- 
dence, receipts, etc. — file boxes 
for papers, etc. 

Can be added to any stack the 
same as a bookcase section. Don't 
fail to see this charming arrange- 
ment. 

ALLEN PAISLEY CO. 

133-137 Portland Street 
Near North Station BOSTON, MASS. 



25'/(j discount from catalogue if you 
will send this ad or bring it with you. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



15a 



To Smokers of Fine Cigars: 

Here is a cigar made in New England by an old established New 
England house. It is a cigar of very fine quality, and is sold at the 
exclusive clubs and the best hotels where the ordinary " popular 
10-cent brands (so-calledj are NOT considered suitable. 



Look for 



this band 



TRAICO 



The Cigar of the Hour" 



10 Cents 



15 Cents 



has achieved a wonderful success — it satisfies men who are not 
pleased with common cigars. Its most enthusiastic smokers are 
among those who usually pick the better grades of clear Havana 
goods. In flavor it excels many of the Havana brands. Ask at your 
club, hotel, or favorite dealer's. 

The band aids you to identify the goods in the case. The trade- 
mark also appears on the box and stands for those qualities that will 
lead you to continue to call for Traico. 



H. TRAISER & CO., Inc., Makers 



Boston 



Made in 

Fine up to date 

Shapes 



participate. The pageant is to be given 
in the Pageant Hall or Grand Hall of 
Mechanics Building every afternoon and 
every evening during the four weeks 
of the Exposition. 

It is not the purpose of "The World 
in Boston" to make a financial profit. 
The missionary cause, both Home and 
Foreign, has come to be so connected 
in the })ublic mind with appeals for 
money and with devices for raising 
money, that it may be difficult to per- 
suade people that this great effort has 
no such immediate end in view. Its 
promoters will be fully satisfied if it 
pays its own way and enables the 
treasurer to refund to the guarantors 
tiie money which they have advanced. 
Should there be any profit, it will be 
turned over to the Young People's 
Missionarv ISrovemeut. 



Important to You or Your Friends Who Are 




DEAF 

or Hard of 
Hearing 

You can hear and enjoy 
life like others with the 
new adjustable 



Glob 



ar 



Ph 



one 



The most efficient and refined 
aid to hearing ever produced 

THE Globe Ear-Phone received the highest 
award at tlie Brussels Exposition and also 
at the Sealth- Exposition in li)0!) as the best aid 
for defective hearing. It is the only hearing 
instriuiient that can l)e adjusted to any degree 
of di'afness. 

You are invited ro call at our office and 
have a practical demonstration, or write 
at once for home trial particulars; also 
for booklet describing Church Ear-Phone 

#lotie €ar=^})one Co. 

740 Tremont Temple Boston 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



16a 



NEW BOSTON 




'BOND OF BOSTON 

16 CENTRAL STREET 



ADVERTISING 

Of THe RigHt Kind 



My service covers all proper 
publicity needed for the 
successful and profitable 
marketing of representative 
products. 




Multigraph 
Typewriting 



Miss Keith has added to her 
equipment for producing all 
kinds of circular matter, a device 
which will print letter heads in 
various styles of type, thus 
eliminating the time and trouble 
entailed in dealing with the 
printer. Miss Keith refers to 
the management of Boston-1915 
for endorsement of both quality and delivery of multi- 
graph work, which she is executing for its organization. 
You are invited to call at Room 428 — same floor as 
Boston-1915 — to see samples of this work and obtain 
quotations. 

STENOGRAPHY 

AND 

TYPEWRITING 

Scientific and Technical 

Manuscripts a Specialty 



MISS INA A. KEITH 

Room 428 6 Beacon St., Boston 

Workroom 1126 



CHARLES M. CONANT 

Boston, Suburban and Seashore Real Estate 
Fire, Liability, Automobile and Disability Insurance 




Ji lifiiY j? 




This cut gives a glimpse of our Home-sites, at Atlantic-By-The-Sea, only 

5 1-2 miles from State House and only 10 minutes from South Station 

For full f)articulars regarding this beautiful place, see us at 

640-642 OLD SOUTH BUILDING, BOSTON 



In answerinc advertisements olcase mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



19a 



BOSTON THEATRES 



ROBERT BILLIARD IN "A FOOL 
THERE WAS" 

Robert Hilliard comes to the Boston Theatre 
for two weeks commencing April 3, in "A Fool 
There Was." It is significant of the compelling 
power of Mr. Hilliard's acting, as well as the very 
wide appeal of the drama, that "A Fool There Was" 
has had twelve distinct revivals in less than two 
years, in the theatres of New York and Brooklyn; 
three in Washington, three in Philadelphia, three 
in Chicago, and two each in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, 
Detroit and Buffalo. "A Fool There Was" makes 
vital the story of a distinguished American dip- 
lomat dragged down to disaster through the spell 
of a hypnotic woman. Its basic theme is found 
in Kipling's ruggedly powerful and grimly satirical 
poem of the vampire woman, who was only "a 
rag and a bone and a hank of hair." One of the 
vividly realistic stage pictures is the deck of a 
crowded ocean liner at the sailing hour. 

MME. SCHEFF IN A NEW OPERA 

"M'Ue Rosita" is the title of the new opera which 
Victor Herbert has composed for Fritzi Scheff 
and which will have its premier at the Shubert 
Theatre next Monday night, March 27th. It is 
a modern piece with the scenes laid in Paris and 
Mme. Scheff appears as Rosita Boutonniere, daugh- 

(Contimied on page Ha) 




MRS. LESLIE CARTER 

in "Two Women" 



INDIVIDUAL 

Sanitary Paper Drinking Cups 

^It Kinds 

Communion, Dental, Household, School, Factory, 
Hospital, Bankers and Brokers, Soda, and Theatre 

Cup Brackets, holding 25 or 100 cups, are dust proof and 
are very neat and convenient 



Cup Cabinets 

for Schools and Factories 




"Those who have charge of pub- 
lic places where water is served can 
do no greater service to mankind 
than by adopting such a simple 
means as this cup." 

— Editorial Ladies Home Journal. 

Folding Cup ^<Z/il — ill^ MADE ONLY BY 

AMERICAN WATER SUPPLY CO. OF N. E. 

DEP'T. C, 251 CAUSEWAY ST., BOSTON, MASS. 





Automatic Cup 
Bracket 



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20a 



NEW BOSTON 




Power Boats and Accessories 



Second 
Hand 



BOATS 



We Have Customers Who 

Want to sell 
Others Who Want to Buy 

IP You Want to Sell 

We Can Help You 
JP You Want to Buy 

We Can Suit You 

Expert advice costs you nothing. See us before 
buying or selling. 

SWASEY, RAYMOND & PAGE, Inc. 



Brokerage Department 

Colonial BIdg. Boston, Mass. 



DISTINCTIVE MOTOR Q OATS 
EED-mOORE"DORDEN 



NAVAL ARCHITECT MARINE ENGINEER 



YACHT BROKER 



EXPERTS IN OUR LINE 

Estimates Furnished for Designing 
and Building All Types of Craft. 



ENGINE INSTALLATIONS 
YACHT BROKERAGE 



NEW ENGLAND DISTRIBUTORS 

•■LOEW-VICTGR" "RALACO" 

■■GRAY" "EVINRUDE" 

"BROWN" "ORIOLE" 

ENGINES 

A Type of Engine for Every Type of Hull 



WM. J. DE[D, jr. • C. FRANK MOORE - L. L BORDEN 

220 Devonshire Street, BOSTON, MASS. 



The Safest Boats Built 

Toppan Power 




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and 
UP 



16 to 40 ft. Price $150 

Also Safety Launches 

and Cabin Cruisers 

Send 2 stamps for Boat Catalog 

The 1911 

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Reversible 

Motors 

Easy to Start, Safe, Re- 
liable. 

Sizes 2, 3, 5, 8, 12 II. P. 
Send for Motor Catalog. 




The Toppan Folding 

Spray 
Hood 




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for Boat 

in Rough 

Water 

Price8i$12,i$16, $20,[$24 
Cut shows $l(i one and is a popular size 

Toppan Boat Mfg. Co. '^oS'£f 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



21a 




FRITZI SCHEFF 

in "M'lle Rosita" 

ter of Aristide Boutonniere, the florist. Beyond 
these simple facts the management gives little 
information regarding the plot of the opera. 

Victor Herbert and Fritzi Scheff have long 
proven one of the "happiest combinations" of the 
modern stage. 

Perhaps some idea of what is to come may be 
gleaned from the synopsis of scenery which shows 
that the first act is laid in the flower shop of Aristide 
Boutonniere, the second in the grand saloon of 
the Chateau de Monterville and the third in the 
grounds of the hotel Duo de Montpensier at Ver- 
sailles. Given Mme. Scheff as a pretty flower girl, 
in the atmosphere of these three scenes, and the 
possibilities are limitless. 

In the cast of "Mile. Rosita" are Walter Jones, 
Emma Janvier, Olga Stech, Eugene O'Brien, 
Joseph Herbert, George Graham, E. de Varny and 
Sydney Taylor and others. 

MRS. LESLIE CARTER AT THE 
MAJESTIC 

Mrs. Leslie Carter will be the attraction at 
the Majestic Theatre for two weeks beginning on 
Monday night, March 27, in her new play l)y Rupert 
Hughes, "Two Women." Mrs. Carter is starring 
under the management of John Cort, who has 
supplied her with an exceptionally good supporting 
company, including E. J. Ratcliftc, Harrison Hunter, 
Brandon Hurst, Harry G. Carlton, Helen Tracy, 
Lily Cahill, Mile. Andree Corday, and forty others. 
Mr. Cort has, as is his custom, given the play an 
elaborate mounting. 

The author has endeavored in this play to demon- 
strate the effect of the good life upon the bad and 
the redeeming qualities of noble example. 



Insurance Offices 

Recommended to Readers of NEW BOSTON 



Gilmour & Coolidge 
Insurance 

Telephone Main 4800 

114 Water Street 
BOSTON 



PATTERSON, WYLDE & WINDELER 

MARINE FIRE LIABILITY 

INSURANCE 

106 Chamber of Commerce Building 
Boston, Mass. 



Boston 
Mutual Life Insurance Company 

A YOUNG, STRONG, SAFE 
AND GROWING COMPANY 

77 Kilby Street, Boston 



Leading Banking Concerns 

OF BOSTON 



E.V.HENDERSON 

National Bank, Trust Company, 
Mill and INIanufacturing Stocks 
bought and sold on commission. 

35 CONGRESS ST., BOSTON 

Telephones, Main 5352 and 5353 



FITZGERALD, HUBBARD % CO. 
^tocfe Profeers! 



Members New York and Boston 
Stock Exchange 



95 Milk Street 



BOSTON 



R. L DAY & CO. 

BANKERS 



35 Congress Street 
BOSTON 



37 Wall Street 
NEW YORK 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



22a 



NEW BOSTON 











ATLANTIC DECORATING CO. 

BOSTON, MASS. 

Main Offices 5 Park Square 

Branch 529 Tremont Temple 

Warehouses - - _ 80 Farnham St., Roxbury 




Architects and Constructors of 
All the Noted Shows in Boston 


For Designs and Estimates address E. W. CAMPBELL, General Manager 









PALMER-SINGER 




Strongest Built Car in the World 

50> SAVING IN FIRST COST— 40^ SAVING IN OPERATING EXPENSE 
— UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. 

That's what we offer — that's what we guarantee in all Palmer-Singer Six 
Cylinder, Sixty Horse Power, Four Speed Forward and Reverse, Touring Cats. 

PALMER-SINGER stands for STANDARD construction even to the minutest detail— built 
in New York City along the very highest lines known to modern automobile requirements- 
free from mechanical imperfection of any kind, it possesses many points of superiority to be 
found in no other car. We mean this — we mean every word of it — the specifications of the 
PALMER-SINGER confirm it. 

Our guarantee of uninterrupted service means something — it is sincere — it takes effect the 
moment a car leaves our factory and is continuous — it is backed by men of unquestionable 
integrity, men whose word is their bond. 

Our literature is most interesting and instructive; a postal will bring it to your address. 



FRANCIS DIKE, Inc. 



47 Fairfield St., Boston, Mass. 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 




Ideals in Merchandise 

THERE is character building in merchandise, just as 
there is in men. We learn to know and to appraise 
goods by much the same standards that we apply to 
people, although perhaps merchandise represents a double 
standard, for interwoven with its own character, good or 
bad, there is also the impress of the character of the maker. 

We recognize the value of goods by appearance, quality of 
material, workmanship, finish and fitness; and frecjuently 



by something else 
in concrete form 
the maker ; and 
the value of the 

This is especiall}' 
generations have 




— a trade mark, a name — representing 
the character, quality, and fitness of 
when this is present it establishes 
goods more definitely than all else. 

the case in older communities, where 
labored toward the perfection of a 
product, and where this process has gone hand in hand with 
a determination that the goods, as well as the manner of 
their marketing, shall bear the impress of their build- 
ers, and represent their highest ideals in manufacture 
and their truest conceptions of the integrity of traffic. 

Generations continuing the same line of manufacture present 
striking instances of goods so perfectly developed, so thor- 
oughl}' known and accepted, that they have become a standard 
of excellence and value everywhere. Competition has devised no 
force potent enough to crowd these goods out of a market to 
which they have proved a supreme right through unnumbered 
days of steadfastness to honest value and to honest dealing. 

For nearly three centuries of manufacturing, New England 
has been developing to a high plane these ideals of merchan- 
dise. Not in her cities alone but in unexpected places among 
her hills and beside her swift-i^mning streams are found 
factories and mills out of which come goods known 
throughout the world ; and the trade mark and ' ' New 
England Made" stamped upon them, and the character 
for which they stand, make these goods, like the 
king's seal, pass current wherever there are civilized men. 

Pilgrim Publicity Association, Boston 

[Copyrigrht, 1910] 



a 



^ 



C^ ,^<W^lir^>TTTxrrTf]ll 



P 
^ 



In answci-iiig adverliscnicnts please menlion XKW UOSTOX 



NEW BOSTON 



American Jfurniture Cxcfjange 

Incorporated 

Office and 
Commercial Furniture 




NEW AND SECOND HAND 
Rilentsalesman and Counter Show Cases, 
Cash Registers, Safes, Lunch Stools, etc. 




Phone Ljr— — . 

Haymarket flJ?^=s 
1824 




NEW AND SECOND HAND 

Roll Top, Flat Top, Bookkeepers' and Typewriters' 
Desks 

Office and Salesroom 
Nos. 6 and 8 Aiden Street 

Filing Cal)inets, Sectional Bookcases, 

Etc. Off Sudbury Street Boston, MasS. 



A Subscription to New Boston 



will keep you in touch with every branch of the 1915 
movement. That means that by becoming a reader you 
will have first hand knowledge of Boston's civic, social 
and industrial activities. 

The blank below, filled out and sent to us with a dollar 
bill will make you a subscriber for a year. 



NEW BOSTON, 6 Beacon Street 

Please send me NEW BOSTON for one year. 

Date 

Name 

Address 



In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW JBOSTON 




I 




Romance in Merchandise 



I 



N THE building of every great merchandise success 
there is a story of absorbing human interest, a storv 
fused from the lives and characters of its builders. 

A great business appears to be almost automatic in its 
development. In the full swing of its success it absorbs moun- 
tains of raw material and pours out unending rivers of finished 
merchandise ; and it seems as if such an institution must al- 
ways have been in operation and its product always in demand. 

Yet back of this success, a hundred or even two hundred 
years, there was an insignificant beginning, compassed verv 
likely by a single brain and two labor-scarred hands ; followed 
by many heart-breaking Aears of experiment, of error, and of 
desperate chances when it vvas a daily fight for even the 
primitive right to exist. With this right established, 
there came such imperative need of expansion as taxed 
every resource of the mind, drained dry the uttermost 
springs of credit, and tested the very marrow of courage. 

During all these years of struggle the merchandise and its 
makers have grown into a closer harmony, each becoming more 
nearly representative of the other; for nothing is more true 
than that goods or businesses which are the concrete result of 
years of study and effort, of days of tireless toil and nights 
of sleepless thought, come at last to represent and to stand 
for the character, ambitions, and ideals of their builders. 

And merchandise so built has upon it the very finger prints, 
the intimate touch and fiber, of those whose lives have entered 
into its moulding. No wonder then that where such businesses 
are established, and ^here such goods are made, there has 
developed a pride of production, a perfection of workman- 
ship, an unswerving loyalty to the highest business ideals. 

It is these almost intangible things, these romances of mer- 
chandise, that have determined New England's destiny as a 
great manufacturing center, teeming with millions of skilled 
laborers and dotted with thousands of mills and factories. 

Pilgrim Publicity Association, Boston 

[Copyright, 1910] 






m 



m 




In answering advertisements please mention K'^W BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



CHOOSING A PROFESSION 

AT THE iifjo of (ii'liH'ii a buy coiiinioncos to roalizc he may not be President of the United States, 
althoufjh he has thouplit all along he would be. A girl of the same age knows that the fairies 
will not present her \\ith all that slie desires. It is the awakening age, the time for each 
child to know the value of life, to be made to understand that they are in this world to be helpers, 
and will possess a share in the great natural resources if their eyes, ears and hands are used. 

Train your diildren to DO I-()METH1NG and BE SOMEBODY. Study their traits and inclina- 
tions and choose tliat A\hich they are adapted to, for tlieir destiny depends, in a great measure, upon 
the channel to which they are guided. 

If you would ha\-e them successful do not cast them adrift and make them shift for themselves 
and encounter all kinds of hardships but do the best you can for the lives intrusted to your care, never 
giving up their guardianship until you know they are well launched on the way to success. Every 
one loves success and the key to success is the schoolhouse. 

Years ago we heard of "Tlie Three Learned Professions" — Theology, Law and Medicine. Now 
we know there are about sixty professions and the most important of these is BUSINESS, for without 
business ability even clergymen, lawyers and doctors are not very successful. 

Every girl and boy, rich and i)oor, should learn the value of money and know how to use it. Such 
a training means a safeguard all through life. How many wealthy widows are cheated out of their 
inheritance — how many girls make hasty, unfortunate marriages.'' Why.'' Because their early 
training was deficient and did not include a way toward self-support. 

There is a school in Boston that has been teaching this method of self-support for about eight years. 
It costs something, but so does everything worth having. Is it not worth a great deal to know that 
your daughter is in a safe place.'' Where the aim is to teach all that whatever broadens the mind 
ennobles the character; where girls are taught to understand their bodies as well as their minds, and to 
realize the only way to be happy and make others happy is by improving physically, mentally and morally. 

Such are the principles instilled in the girls at the Boston branch of the Eranklin Academy, 13(5 
Boylston St., where the instruction is individual; girls from ten to forty years of age, who through 
sickness or neglect have not finished the Grammar grade, are instructed in the branches they need 
until they receive a diploma. Those who can afl^ord a more finished education enter for the high school 
studies, while others prepare for bookkeepers, stenographers, secretaries and teachers. 

If you liave a daughter you will not regret your decision by placing her in this special training 
school for girls, where all learn to be successful. 



L u n d i n 

Turkish 

Baths 

20-22 
CARVER STREET 

Next to Park Square 



/// our specially constructed building 

are combined two separate and complete 

establishments with accommodations for 

men and women 

PHONE OXFORD 2068 



The New England 

News Company 

93-101 Arch Street 

BOSTON 



Wholesale Distributors of 



All'ifNew-JUp-to-Date 



Stationery 

Fancy Goods 



Book* 



Post Cards 



and 



Periodicals 



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NEW BOSTON 




izoo 



tollHllllllllll||||||^nn#^^5IIM^^ 



A Competition in Excellence 

THERE is a kind of competition that has materially im- 
proved manufacturing conditions, raised the wages of Am- 
erican Avorkmen, made more cheerful and convenient the 
American home, increased the demand for merchandise of real 
worth, and created a higher standard of business ethics. 

A competition in excellence — that is what American manufac- 
turing is rapidly becoming ! For nowadays no manufacturer 
can be certain of success whose product in its character and pur- 
pose fails to minister to some genuine desire or need of its users. 

The deeper we delve into the methods of successful industries 
the more certain are we to discover that they are builded on 
the basic ideal of an excellence maintained at an}^ cost. 
Such methods had their rise in the days of the Pilgrims. 
"New England Made" thus early became a synonym for 
materials that were not skimped, inspection that was 
thorough, and methods of making that were conscientiously 
exact — and these ideals of quality have dominated the mighty 
developments which followed the success of those earh' efforts. 

Nearly three centuries have come and gone since American 
manufacturing was established on the only lasting foundation 
— quality. JVIany new industries have come, and some have 
gone — perhaps because their product did not measure up to 
these standards of excellence. But dotted all over this great 
section stand the growing plants of sturdy old New England 
industries, where grandsons and great-grandsons still uphold 
the policy of excellence set by the founders — where a just 
pride in the product animates every member of the great 
organization, from the president to the unskilled workman — 
and that is why in the face of the ever-present competition 
of new recruits in the same field of manufacture, these goods 
have triumphed in every conflict and weathered every storm. 

Such cases afford abundant proof that the only way }ou can 
long compete with a good article is to make a still better 
one — and it is the recognition of this necessity which is crea- 
ting a new and higher competition — a competition in excellence. 




i 



a 



s 




In answering advertisements please mention NEW BOSTON 



NEW BOSTON 



To the Readers of New Boston : 



Boston-1915 takes pleasure in endors- 
ing the advertisers who have assisted 
in making possible this number of 



"New BOSTON" 



These advertisers represent Boston's 
best concerns and most public-spirited 
citizens. 

As such they deserve your pat- 
ronage. 

Please mention i 

New Boston in purchasing. 



Publishers of New Boston 



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NEW BOSTON 



MEDALS AND OTHER HONORS MAKER. COLLECTOR and CUSTODIAN 

AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE „ 

...■ ...^r,.^... . ■-■-•iiNv-t Qp. pQj^^pj^i^ PHOTOGRAPHS FOR 

IN AMERICAN AND FOREIGN — 

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITIONS PUBLICITY BUREAU OF BOSTON-1915 



CHARLES WESLEY HEARN 

PORTRAITS BY PHOTOGRAPHY 
AT STUDIO OR AT RESIDENCE 

ONLY OFFICIAL BOSTON-1915 PHOTOGRAPHER 

561 BOYLSTON STREET 

TELEPHONE 2598-2 B.B. BOSTON, MASS. 



MAGAZINES CATALOGUES 



THE CHAPPLE PRESS 



PRINTERS AND 
PUBLISHERS 

BOSTON 



ISAAC H. MORTON 170 Summer Street 

REPRESENTATIVE PHONE. FORT HILL 2474 



BOOKLETS COMMERCIAL WORK 



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NEW BOSTON 



y 



i. 




rr jrr^WiT^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiifh^^p^iiiiiiiiiiMMr 




The"OpenDoor"to Opportunity 

STUDENTS of industrial development tell us that in the 
ea<>erncs.s to build up newer territories, the opportu- 
nities of older sections are frecpiently lost sight of. 
A^' hatever is at a distance seems to be imbued with greater 
attracti^'eness and value than that which is near at hand. 

Thus as imagination pictured the unexplored deserts and 
mountains, the vast, uncultivated stretches of rich prairie, 
the unharnessed waterfjills, the unconquered kingdoms of 
virgin forest and undeveloped industries of the mighty, un- 
known West, there wakened again the old adventurous 
spirit of the Pilgrims. And out from many a town and 
farm poured for many a day the flower of New Eng- 
land's youth, while out from many a bank and counting 
room flowed a golden stream that seemed to have no end. 

A half centuiy roUed by, and the prospector and the settler 
had conquered Nature's vast western domain — the capital of 
older sections performed miracles of development. The 
South and West were rapidly becoming rich and well-settled 
communities — and the investor in his search for undeveloped 
possibilities came to realize that he had looked far afield 
and neglected the opportunities at his very doorstep, and 
with this realization a new day dawned for New England. 

And now the tide has definitely turned, and is flowing back 
— back to New England and her undeveloped opportunities, 
back to the wealth of field and stream, of mountain and 
seashore, uncanvassed and uncounted, waiting lo these many 
3'ears for their turn to set the giant wheels of com- 
merce in motion, that they too might fulfil their destiny. 

New England's greatest glories are not of the past, but in the 
future — a future yet but dimly realized, wherein every field 
and stream and forest and hill shall contribute its quota 
toward a mightier empire of organized agriculture, in- 
dustry, and commerce, employing to the full the un- 
limited resources of New England capital, and the 
brains, skill, and energy of all her diversified population. 





In answering adveiliscnicnis please nieniion i\liVV JiUti 1 ON 



THE CHAPPLE PRESS. BOSTON 



NEW SUBURBAN 

Telephone ^ates 



¥N order to supply the requirements of such Suburban 
* Telephone Users as are not fully provided for by 
the New Rate Schedule, it has been decided to add 
One- Party and Two- Party Unlimited Residence 
Service, covering all Suburban Districts, 

as follows : — 

Unlimited One-Party Residence Line, $45. 

(Reduced from $54 in old schedule.! 

Unlimited Two-Party Residence Line, $36. 

(Reduced from $42 in old schedule.) 
*Two-Party Lines Equipped with Divided Ringing. 

Subscribers desiring these or other classes of 
service under the New Schedule are invited to call 
Fort Hill 7600 (free of charge) and consult the 

Rate Department, 



New England ifl^\ ^nd Telegraph 
Telephone *%©# Company 



First 

XationaV BanR. 

Boston 

TO FEDEK.71L STREET 

CAPITAL and SURPLUS - - $6,000,000 

UNDIVIDED PROFITS - - - $3,000,000 
STOCKHOLDERS' LIABILITY - $3,000,000 

A TOTAL GUARANTY OF $12,000,000 
FOR THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF DEPOSITORS FURNISHES PRO- 
TECTION WHICH IS FURTHER INCREASED BY THE DIRECTING 
POLICIES OF A CONSERVATIVE AND CAREFUL BOARD OF WELL- 
KNOWN AND SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS MEN OF BOSTON. 

iBtrector£( 

CALVIN AUSTIN, President Eastern Steamship Company 

EDWARD E. BLODGETT, Blodgett, Jones & Burnham, Attorneys 

ROLAND W. BOYDEN, Ropes, Gray & Gorham, Attorneys 

CHARLES F. BROOKER, President American Brass Co., Waterbury, Conn. 

GEORGE W. BROWN, Vice President United Shoe Machinery Company 

JOHN CARR, President Eliot Five Cents Savings Bank 

GEORGE A. DRAPER, Treasurer Draper Company, Hopedale, Mass. 

ROBERT J. EDWARDS, Treasurer Edwards Manufacturing Company 

ROBERT F. HERRICK, Fish, Richardson, Herrick & Neave, Attorneys 

WILLIAM H. HILL, Capitalist 

CHARLES H. JONES, President Commonwealth Shoe & Leather Company 

FREDERIC C. McDUFFIE, Treasurer York Mfg. Co. and Everett Mills 

CHARLES S. MELLEN, President New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R. 

CHARLES A. MORSS, Treasurer Simplex Electrical Company 

ANDREW W. PRESTON, President United Fruit Company 

N. W. RICE, N. W. Rice Company 

WALLACE F. ROBINSON, Capitalist, ex-President Chamber of Commerce 

WILLIAM SKINNER, President William Skinner & Sons, Holyoke, Mass. 

CHARLES A. STONE, Stone & Webster 

JAMES J. STORROW, Lee, Higginson & Company, Bankers 

JOHN W. WEEKS, Hornblower & Weeks, Bankers & Brokers 

GEORGE R. WHITE, President Potter Drug & Chemical Corporation 

DANIEL G. WING, President 

SIDNEY W. WINSLOW, President United Shoe Machinery Company 

INTEREST ALLOWED ON ACCOUNTS 

FIRST NATIONAL SAFE DEPOSIT VAULTS 

Open from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Boies $10 a year and upwards. Storate Vaults for Trunks and Silverware 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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